K-5 STEM Classroom grants seek to promote equitable access to and increased quality of STEM programs in elementary schools in order to better prepare students for a career pathway to success in Nevada's growing STEM economy. This grant program aligns with three key strategies identified in the State STEM Strategic Plan.
- To increase the use of hands-on, evidence-based, experiential STEM learning in grades K-5.
- To increase the percentage of elementary schools that teach science three-plus hours per week.
- To increase interest in, awareness of, and achievement in the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in grades K-5, particularly amongst demographic groups that are traditionally underrepresented in STEM.
K-5 STEM Classroom grants are micro-grants of up to $1,500 targeted at elementary educators to purchase small classroom equipment for innovative and creative STEM projects that align with the Academic Standards and increase students’ exposure to STEM.
K-5 STEM Classroom Grant Round II Awardees
Bud Beasley Elementary School, Washoe County School District, was awarded $2,499 for two classrooms. Both classrooms will implement a Full Option Science Systems (FOSS) Next Generation Solids and Liquids kit from Delta Education for 2nd grade students. These FOSS kits will provide students with physical science core ideas that focus on the structure and properties of matter and then application through engineering and technology concepts. Funds will be used for one FOSS kit for each of the two classrooms along with accompanying guides and resources.
Carlin Combined, Elko County School District, was awarded $1,235, and will implement the LEGO MINDSTORM Education EV3 Core Set by LEGO Education, which will impact 20-30 4th grade students each year. This project will enhance student understanding and knowledge in Energy and Engineering Design through cross-curricular STEM solutions. This will entail designing, building and programming creations. Skills utilized will include creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communications. Grant funds will be used to purchase three LEGO MINDSTORM sets.
C.C. Meneley Elementary, Douglas County School District, was awarded $1,445 and will implement Makey Makey Invention Kits allowing 2nd grade students to utilize the engineering process. They will build, code, and share objects that solve a problem or share information. Builds will consist of cardboard creations using MakeDo Building Components and cardboard cutting tools. Students will create circuits for their builds to perform tasks using Makey Makey Invention Kits including some audio using headsets. Funds will be spent on a MakeDo building set, a Makey Makey Educator Pack, one Worx ZipSnip, cardboard scissors and 20 headsets.
Conners Elementary, Clark County School District, was awarded $1,428 to implement Engineering is Elementary with 3rd-5th grade students. The teacher will enhance the science learning happening in the students’ homeroom with the engineering kits. The program will support students’ collaboration, critical-thinking, and communication skills. Funds will be spent on four different kits and the accompanying teacher manuals.
Coral Academy of Science, Tamarus Campus, was awarded $1,474 and $1,455 for a 2nd and a 3rd grade classroom. They will implement STEM in Action for both classrooms. Coral intends to create a STEM exploration center that will support the student needs in Life Science and Physical Science for 2nd and 3rd grade.
Dorothy Lemelson STEM Academy Elementary, Washoe County School District, was awarded $1,482 and will use the grant funds to purchase 3-D anatomy models of various organisms, simple machines kits, and student weather station tools. Each of these items will better allow students to participate in inquiry-based learning activities for Kindergarten and grades 3-5. Funds will be used to purchase 14 Thames & Kosmos Simple Machines Science Experiment & Model Kits, 14 Learning Resources Simple Machines, 4 anatomy models and 10 weather labs.
Empire Elementary, Carson City School District, was awarded $1,322 and with the funding will start a Girl’s STEM Club at Empire to increase girls’ interest, awareness and confidence in STEM. Through this program, girls will work on STEM projects, be exposed to women of STEM role models, and explore many different STEM careers. Funds will be used to purchase Elara STEM Girl Books, SMORE Magazine digital subscription, Lily Pad Electronic supplies, ClayMation video production supplies, and Circuit Maker and design supplies.
Mt. Rose Elementary, Washoe County School District, was awarded $1,500 and will purchase Cubelet Curiosity Sets for a first-grade classroom. This project will get young students excited about coding. The Cubelet sets will allow students an opportunity to build and code small robots without using screens. Once students get a feel for and learn how to use the Cubelet sets, they will build a maze and program their robots to successfully go through the maze. The grant funds will allow Mt. Rose to purchase 6 Cubelet Curiosity Sets.
Neal STEAM Academy, Clark County School District, was awarded $1,265 and with the funding will create a makerspace for kindergarten and first grade students. Students will be encouraged regularly to use the space to tinker and expand on their science learning. Funds will be spent on Lakeshore Learning STEM materials: Mobile STEM Station, Block Play STEM Early Learning Kit, Build and Play Treehouse and Posable People, STEM Stories Library, and Tempera Blocks Set.
Newton Elementary, Clark County School District, was awarded $1,236 and will use the funding to purchase Lego MINDSTORMS to support in-school STEM instruction for grades 3-5, as well as the extracurricular Lego team. With the materials, students will construct and program robots to complete challenges using the engineering design process. Students will build, explore, investigate, inquire, and communicate to develop 21st century skills. Funds will be used to purchase three Lego MINDSTORMS kits.
Roundy Elementary, Clark County School District, was awarded $1,493 to implement Engineering is Elementary with 3rd-5th grade students. The teacher will enhance the science learning happening in the students’ homeroom with the engineering kits. The program will support students’ collaboration, critical-thinking, and communication skills. Funds will be spent on three different kits and the accompanying teacher manuals, to include kits for Designing Alarm Circuits, Designing Maglev (magnets) Systems, and Designing Bridges.
Sonoma Heights Elementary, Humboldt County School District, was awarded $1,385 and will purchase seven LEGO® Education WeDo 2.0 Core Sets. The LEGO curriculum moves students from learning how to build and use the materials in the beginning to students creating solutions to real world problems. The 2nd grade students will work in pairs using existing Chromebooks to guide them through each lesson. The students will use the computer technology to drive their instruction/exploration with the LEGO kit.