APS/Phoenix Suns Energy Exploration Mini-Grants
2010-2011 School Year, Grades K-12

A mini grants program providing funds for creative and innovative projects that address energy exploration using science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics that are student-based with the objective of improving student achievement.

Program Information

APS and the Phoenix Suns are pleased to announce their Energy Exploration Mini-Grants Program. Grants will be awarded to support innovative teaching strategies to improve student performance. Successful proposals will have an interdisciplinary approach and invite increased knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and/or evaluation that enhance learning about energy exploration through science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics.

Who May Apply

The program is open to K-12 educators who teach in public school districts located in the APS service territory. Please review the list of eligible schools.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted online only.

Grants are available in four categories: grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Each category will be judged separately in its own category.

Grants up to a maximum of $2500 each may be awarded. A total of up to $50,000 is available for grants for the 2010-2011 school year. Funds may be applied to equipment, materials and supplies, field trips or guest speakers that would not normally be provided by the school or school district. Refer to the Budget section of this application for specific guidelines.

Funding will be provided to the school or school district for distribution to the teacher recipient who will use the grant money in accordance with the approved budget. The school and/or school district is encouraged to continue the project after this source of external funding expires. Project funds must be spent on designated budgeted items within the project year.

Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

• A creative, innovative solution to a stated energy problem or issue
• Academic focus and goals to improve student achievement in mathematics, science and/or technology
• Preference will be give to projects that have an interdisciplinary approach and invite increased knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and/or evaluation
• Clearly defined and valid objectives and outcomes that are realistic in terms of what is expected to be accomplished
• Activities that are well-defined, specific and directly related to project goals
• Appropriate to grade level and includes direct student involvement
• Budget must be itemized, reasonable and relate back to project
• Plans for evaluating the project must be realistic and quantifiable
• Have the ability to be replicated or adapted by others

All publicity released, information brochures, printed programs and public reports pertaining to the Energy Exploration Mini-Grants must include acknowledgement of APS' and the Phoenix Suns' support.

Grant applications will be accepted only online through Friday, October 15, 2010. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Louise Moskowitz at (602) 250-2291 by e-mail at Louise.Moskowitz@aps.com.

Creating a Winning Project Proposal

Funding will be provided for projects which encourage creativity and increase student motivation to learn.

Successful proposals will promote exciting and innovative activities to motivate students and enhance their learning of mathematics, science, engineering and/or technology as it relates to energy or increase student knowledge of energy efficiency, conservation, energy sources or other energy-related topics.

Project summary - tell a good story; what is it you're trying to do and why in an engaging way that relates to science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics. How long will the project last? Will it be ongoing?

Project description - be explicit; what are your intentions? What are the specific content and support standards for math, science, engineering and/or technology to be addressed? How will your project impact your students? Who is your targeted student population? What are your expected outcomes? How do you plan to sustain the program once this funding has been expended?

Activities - should engage students in hands-on activities that lead to new knowledge, understanding, applying, investigating, and/or an awareness about energy. Describe what you'll be doing including a timeline and specific learning outcomes.

Budget - itemize the expenditures needed to complete this project including information on the materials and equipment needed, supplier and cost; be specific as to how the items relate to the project.

Evaluation - what effective evaluation methods will you use to measure achievement? How will you know your students learned what you wanted them to learn? What data will you provide that shows an increase in your students' performance and achievement?

Writing Tips

Make sure your project is unique and includes math, science, engineering and/or technology learning that you feel is important and that you and your students are excited and enthusiastic about.

Your project summary is the first exposure the judges have to your project. Start off with something that will "hook" their attention; provide a background for your project. Give the key points; think key objectives that will drive your project. How will students benefit from participating?

The project and activities description will tell us what you're trying to achieve and what you will do (activities, experiments, lessons, field trips, research and data collection, speakers, etc.) to achieve the objectives. Make sure you tie the activities to the objectives.

Evaluation plan - How will your students show they have achieved your objectives? Is it one large assessment or a combination of things; i.e., pre/post assessment; monitoring logs/diagrams. Describe the data you're going to provide.

Budget - going back to your activities, think about the equipment, materials, supplies, field trips, speakers, etc. you will need to accomplish your activities. Be specific as to price, vendor, and need; make sure the items included are truly pertinent to your project.

Budget Considerations

• Grant funding cannot be used to supplant school and /or school district responsibilities (i.e., salaries, stipends, text books, etc.).
• Grant funding cannot be used for food and/or refreshments.
• Field trips that are the sole activity of the project will not be funded.
• While we encourage the use of technology, equipment such as office machines, computers, camcorders, cameras, etc. will not be funded.
• Proposals for equipment and/or field trips will be considered only if they are integral, vital components of a larger strategy and is no more than 25 percent of your total budget.
• Outside consultants and experts will be supported only if the expenditures are a necessary part of the overall objective of your project and is no more than 25 percent of your total budget. 

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