In coordination with the STEM Advisory Council, OSIT identifies and awards the Governor’s Designated STEM Schools 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.
This grant opportunity supports designated STEM schools in offering STEM-related professional learning or planning opportunities to educators. Funds are used to target specific learning and/or planning actions that will advance the STEM school along the Nevada STEM Framework. Successful applicants for funding clearly articulate how proposed projects and actions will support the school’s development of one or more attributes on the Nevada STEM Framework.
Designated STEM School Grant Awardees
Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas, Sandy Ridge campus (Henderson) was awarded $20,000 for fifteen educators from five departments to participate in PBL 101 training from the Buck Institute of Education. Participants will develop STEM units to use in their English, mathematics, science, social studies and “specials” classes. This project will enhance the school’s STEM learning experiences and integration. Funds will be used to provide stipends to teachers for attending the workshops, planning workshops, and to pay vendor fees.
Empire Elementary School (Carson City) was awarded $19,976 to engage in a series of STEM-focused professional development. The school’s educators will participate in professional learning from Green Schools National Network and World Class Instructional Design and Assessment. The learning opportunities have a STEM lens and have been personalized to support Empire’s STEM strategic plan. Forty-five teachers and staff will participate in the project and the project will enhance the school’s focus on equity, STEM learning experiences, and STEM instruction. Funds will be used to provide stipends and extra-duty pay for teachers to attend the professional learning workshops and to plan for integration of new learning. Funds will also be used to pay vendor fees.
Justice Myron E. Leavitt Middle School (Las Vegas) was awarded $6,018 to participate in Kagan and PBL 201 training. Twenty-two teachers will participate in Kagan training to learn and practice student engagement strategies. These strategies will enhance the school’s STEM learning experiences. Two teachers will also participate in PBL 201 training to further their understanding of project-based learning. These two teachers will share their learning and lessons with their colleagues. Funds will be used for vendor fees and materials required for the workshop.
Lemelson STEM Academy (Reno) was awarded $20,000 to develop and participate in a series of STEM trainings with the Worchester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). WPI will provide a series of workshops specific to Lemelson’s STEM vision and priorities, as well as leadership coaching. After participating in the workshops, teachers will implement new learning and develop new STEM assessments. The project will enhance the school’s STEM learning experiences, instruction and assessments. Funds will be used to pay vendor fees as well as extra duty pay for teachers to plan.
Pinecrest Academy of Nevada Cadence campus (Henderson) was awarded $20,000 to send eighty teachers to Kagan trainings. Kagan trainings will provide teachers with cooperative learning strategies that will enhance student STEM learning experiences and help shift instruction toward student-driven learning. Funds will be used to pay vendor fees and materials needed for the trainings.
Pinecrest Academy of Nevada Inspirada Campus (Henderson) was awarded $17,120 for STEM professional book studies and planning time. Seventeen english, mathematics, science and social studies teachers in 6th-8th grades will participate in book studies to learn how to incorporate STEM into their subject area. Teachers will them have time to plan units that incorporate their new STEM learning. Units will be shared with other teachers at the Inspirada campus as well as other Pinecrest campuses. Additionally, the campus will expand course offerings by training two teachers in Project Lead the Way Science of Technology. The project will enhance the school’s STEM integration, STEM learning experiences, and STEM instruction. Funds will be used to purchase books, provide stipends for teacher to plan, and for PLTW vendor fees.
Roger Gehring Academy of Science and Technology (Las Vegas) was awarded $20,000 to participate in PBL 101 training from the Buck Institute for Education. Twenty-eight educators will participate in the training and sustained support sessions. Teachers will develop STEM units from their learning which will enhance the school’s STEM integration and STEM learning experiences. Funds will be used for extra duty pay for teachers to attend the training, as well as vendor fees.
Smithridge STEM Academy (Reno) was awarded $19,163 for PBL 101 training from the Buck Institute for Education. The school will send eleven teachers to the training to learn how to create project-based learning STEM units. The school will revamp existing STEM units and develop a strategy for sustaining PBL learning across the staff. The project will enhance the school’s STEM learning experiences. Funds will be used for extra duty pay for teachers to attend the workshops and for vendor fees.