MSSEF/GEMS Mini-Grant Application

MSSEF-GEMS Science & Engineering Fair Program Grant Application
Rolling Deadline! Please note that applications received after November 30th will apply to the next school year cycle.

Your school's science fair must be held during the upcoming school year and each school in your District applying for this grant must fill out its own application.
This application is open to all Massachusetts middle and high schools that either do not currently offer -- or aim to signifigantly expand -- an annual Science & Engineering Fair program. Successful candidates will have a solid plan for making their new Science Fair sustainable. A letter from the school leadership is required, confirming support in areas of staffing, curriculum, and matching funds.

The GEMS Program, a partnership between the Gelfand Family Charitable Trust and the Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF), will award schools grant monies to start a science fair program. In addition, up to five tuition scholarships to a Curious Minds Institute (CMI) course may be awarded to a team of teachers from your school or district. For more information visit the CMI courses page here or email us at cmi@scifair.com.

Grant recipients will also be invited to join meetings of MSSEF's volunteer teachers who shape Science Fair policies as well as to participate in the MSSEF Educator Day (free) in May at MIT.

For a list of dates of the regional science fairs, click here.
Grant Requirements:

1) Fill out the online application below uploading the excel budget provided.

2) Obtain and upload a letter from the administration confirming curricular, staffing and support as needed for sustaining the science fair program.

3) Enroll up to 5 STEM teachers in one or more of the three CMI courses for Scholarship.

4) Collect student impact data through pre and post surveys at the beginning and end of the school year.

5) Complete an online annual report by May 1st, to provide feedback and results from your science fair program and teacher participation in CMI courses.

If awarded the grant, the school will be asked to complete and return a MSSEF-GEMS Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which will be emailed separately. Once the MOA is signed and returned, the grant funds will be mailed, and an email with all of the necessary instructions and links will be sent.
At any point, if you want to save your work, scroll down to the end of the form and click on the "Submit" button. After you click the "Submit" button, an email will be sent to your work email address containing a link that you can use for yourself or share with others to allow them to edit or complete this online form.

Only one person should work on the form at a time. All questions are required. Please do not leave any blank. If you have any questions, please contact us at gems@scifair.com

Each school in your district must fill out a separate application.
Part 1. Contact Information
1.Name of School and District*
2.Grant Administrator's Name*

First NameLast Name
3. Grant Administrator's Work E-mail*
4. Grant Administrator's Summer E-mail*
5. Grant Administrator's Cell #*

Area CodePhone Number
6. What is your role?*
7. If you are a teacher, which subjects and classes do you teach?*
8. School Principal's Name*

First NameLast Name
9.School Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry
10.School Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
11.Superintendent's Name*

First NameLast Name
12.Superintendent's email*
Part 2: District and School Information
1. Total district population (# students)*

2. List of schools in the district participating in the Science Fair Program*

	Name of School	Grades served	School Population
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Part 3: Science & Engineering Fair program Information
1. For which grant period is your school applying?*

$1000 for one yearUp to $4000 for a sustainable three-year program
2. There are six MA Regional science fairs. In which region does your school belong?*
If you do not know your school's region, click on this link to find out.
3. Please tell us about your school's history with science fair programs:*

My district has never held a science fair program.My district has held science fair programs in the past. List the years in "Other".Other
4. How do you plan to run your proposed science fair program? Check all that apply.*

During the school day as part of the curriculumIn an after school clubAs a home-based assignmentOutside of SchoolOther
5. Please estimate how many hours per week students will spend on the science fair program?*
6. Approximately how many weeks per school year will students spend on science fair?*

7.*

	Projected # Students to participate in the Science Fair Program	Total # Students in school by grade
5th grade
6th grade
7th grade
8th grade
9th grade
10th grade
11th grade
12th grade
TOTAL STUDENTS

8. How many teachers in your school plan to participate in the science fair program?*
9. How soon will you begin the process of planning your science fair?*
10.Approximately when do you plan to hold your school science fair?*
11. If your school participates in a District Science Fair when and where will that be held will that be held
12. List the name(s) of teachers who will participate and/or enroll in the CMI courses.*
Part 4: Proposed Budget for Science Fair Program
Please download one of the following budgets to be filled out and uploaded below.

Actual to Budgets - 1 year

Actual to Budgets - 3 year
1. Upload or email to gems@scifair.com your proposed GEMS template budget for either one or three years

Upload a File

Cancelof
Part 5: Goals and Objectives of your Science Fair Program:
1.Check all that apply*

Start a sustainable science fair programSignificantly expand an existing science fair prograSend a team of teachers to CMI coursesStart a student mentoring programMentor students in conducting independent research projectsIncrease student skills with science and engineering practicesRaise funds for science fairStart, grow and maintain a science fair judge listPlace students in laboratory settings to conduct independent reseacrhIncrease community outreach to support the science fair programOther
1a.Explain other
Part 6: Additional GEMS Support
1. Upload or email gems@scifair.com a letter of support for the Science Fair Program at your school from the administration.

Upload a File

Cancelof
2. Would you be interested in scheduling a complimentary science fair consultation?*

YesNo
3. If yes, list three dates and times that are convenient for your science fair team.
Please contact Kimberly Kamborian at gems@scifair.com or 617-923-0544 if you have further questions.
Should be Empty:

MSSEF-GEMS Science & Engineering Fair Program Grant Application

Rolling Deadline! Please note that applications received after November 30th will apply to the next school year cycle.

Part 1. Contact Information

Part 2: District and School Information

Part 3: Science & Engineering Fair program Information

Part 4: Proposed Budget for Science Fair Program

Part 6: Additional GEMS Support

Please contact Kimberly Kamborian at gems@scifair.com or 617-923-0544 if you have further questions.