Designated STEM School Grant

Funder: Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT) offers the Designated STEM School grant to support educators in STEM-focused schools. This funding aims to enhance professional learning and planning opportunities, helping schools align with the Nevada STEM Framework. Eligible institutions can utilize the funds for professional development, stipends for educators, and materials necessary for effective STEM instruction. This initiative fosters innovation and high-quality education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across Nevada.

Background
The Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT) of Nevada was established by the Legislature (NRS 223.600) to promote, coordinate and align education, workforce, and economic development and diversification efforts in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). OSIT identifies and awards the Governor’s STEM School Designation to schools throughout Nevada that excel in STEM. OSIT developed and uses the Nevada STEM Framework to identify high-quality STEM schools in Nevada.
Designated STEM schools have school-wide systems in place to support STEM learning experiences, implement high- quality hands-on instruction, and partner with the community to develop relationships and authentic learning opportunities. Designated STEM schools understand the need for ongoing reflection, professional learning, and teacher planning opportunities to continually improve. OSIT desires to assist schools as they invest in their educators and grow their capacity to deliver high-quality STEM instruction to their students.
Desired Outcomes
This grant opportunity supports Designated STEM schools in offering STEM-related professional learning or planning opportunities to educators. Funds should be used to target specific learning and/or planning actions that will advance the STEM school along the Nevada STEM Framework. Successful applicants for funding will clearly articulate how proposed projects and actions will support the school’s development of one or more attributes on the Nevada STEM Framework.

Eligibility

Eligibility Information:Any Nevada Governor’s Designated STEM School. See the OSIT website for a complete list of designated schools.Funds from a grant award must be used to support development of high-quality STEM attributes, as described in the Nevada STEM Framework. Grant awards may be used to fund: STEM-related professional learning fees and associated costs Stipends or extra duty pay for educators to attend professional learning opportunities outside of regular contract hoursStipends or extra duty pay for teachers to plan high-quality STEM instructionFunding for substitutes to allow educators to plan high-quality STEM instruction or attend professional learning opportunities during the school dayCurriculum and materials required for targeted STEM professional learning