Student STEM Enrichment Program Grant

The Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) aims to enhance K-12 education in North Carolina by funding hands-on STEM activities for students. With grants up to $60,000 annually for three years, SSEP supports innovative programs that nurture students' interest in science and mathematics. It prioritizes partnerships among nonprofits and encourages projects that engage underrepresented communities. SSEP aims to develop students' skills and inspire future careers in STEM fields, fostering a deeper understanding of scientific inquiry.

About The Award
The Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) supports diverse programs with a common goal: to enable primary and secondary students to participate in creative, hands-on STEM activities for K-12 students and pursue inquiry-based exploration in BWF's home state of North Carolina. These awards provide up to $60,000 per year for three years.
SSEP awards support career-oriented and practical programs intended to provide creative science enrichment activities for students in K-12 education who have shown exceptional skills and interest in STEM, as well as those perceived to have high potential. After school programs are demonstrating value in helping to close opportunity gaps for underserved and underrepresented students. These programs must enable students to participate in hands-on STEM activities and pursue inquiry-based avenues of exploration—an educational approach that BWF believes to be an effective way to increase students’ understanding and appreciation of the scientific process. To increase academic achievement, programs must provide a well-defined structure that aligns with the school-day curriculum, well-trained staff, and student follow up.
Program Goals
improving students’ competence in science and mathematicsnurturing student enthusiasm for science and mathematicsinteresting students in pursuing careers in research or other science-related areas
The activities designed to lead to these goals must align with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for science and mathematics pertinent to the grade levels of the student participants. Activities should involve active learning and be inquiry-based.

Eligibility

The Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) is open to nonprofit organizations in North Carolina. Eligible organizations include public and private schools, colleges and universities, community groups, museums, zoos, scientific groups, and others that can provide experiential activities for K-12 North Carolina students. For-profit companies may participate in collaboration with nonprofit organizations that assume the lead role for a SSEP grant.SSEP activities must enable students to “do” STEM in creative and engaging ways that involve hands-on activities and inquiry-based exploration. Activities should occur outside of the usual school environment, such as after school, on weekends, or during vacation periods. SSEP activities may be conducted all year, during the school year, or during the summer provided there is a year-long educational component. Programs with activities providing less than 10 contact hours over the course of the program for each student participant will not be considered.

Ineligibility

Individuals and nonprofit organizations that offer religious programming are not eligible for SSEP awards. SSEP awards are not intended to support curriculum development