How2Day: Educational Technology Grants for Teachers

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Technology has become a necessary part of education for today's students. Educators can expand their curriculum by creating new and challenging lessons with the use of technology. However, technology is often expensive and many school systems lack the necessary funding through traditional means to enhance opportunities in this segment of education. There are not many grants available for specifically for teachers. However, there are many available for entire schools or school districts. Typically a school's IT department can apply for such grants. This article outlines grants that are available for teachers, focusing on those that have been established to assist them most directly.

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Larry Johnson, CEO of New Media Consortium stated that the EdTech Innovators Award is designed help "proven innovators" take their ideas above and beyond what might be possible in the average classroom. The EdTech Innovators Award includes a technology grant of approximately $40,000 and membership in a social network designed for educators.

Information concerning guidelines, deadlines and judging can be found on the Hewlett-Packard website: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/socialinnovation/edtech.html

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Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is designed to create excitement among high school students through science, technology, engineering and math. InvenTeams are created by high school students, mentors and teachers. Awards, in the amount of $10,000, are given to teacher applicants who have submitted the initial application and have been selected to complete the final application.

Information concerning the MIT contest can be found on the MIT education website: http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/about.html

The NABT award is given to a secondary school teacher who has created and implemented a successful innovative means of teaching environmental science or ecology and has involved the community in environmental issues. The maximum award is $500.00 worth of Vernier equipment, a recognition plague, a NABT membership and $1,000 toward travel to the conference.

To obtain more information about this award visit the NABT website:

http://www.nabt.org/websites/institution/index.php?p=132#award2

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation Classroom Grants are given to outstanding teachers who encourage excellence in educating students in the areas of math, science, technology and engineering. The maximum amount of this award is $200.00

More information can be found on the grant website: www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=244

IBM's vision is to completely reinvent education. This grant is a $70 million dollar grant which is available globally. IBM also contributes more than just money by making available their researchers, technologist and educational consultants to winning educators and schools.

Find more information on the Reinventing Education website: http://www.ibm.com/ibm/ibmgives/grant/education/programs/reinventing/

The Toshiba America Foundation grant is available to teachers or groups of teachers of grades 7--12. The grant favors programs that are focused on improving classroom teaching and learning of math, technology and science.

For information on guidelines, deadlines and more visit the Toshiba grant website:

http://www.toshiba.com/about/taf/grant.html

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