K-5 STEM 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 four key strategies identified in the State STEM Strategic Plan.
- To increase the prevalence of evidence-based, high-quality formal and informal STEM practices and programs in Nevada’s elementary schools.
- 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 Program grants are awarded to fund one of the programs on the STEM Advisory Council's List of Recommended Programs found here.
Previous K-5 STEM Program Grant Round II Awardees
Bailey Elementary, Clark County School District was awarded $5731 and will implement STEM in Action in Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade. Bailey is implementing STEM in Action to support student engineering, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Grant funds will be spent on 15 different STEM in Action kits.
Culley Elementary, Clark County School District was awarded $19,829 and will implement Lego’s FIRST robotics in PreK-5th grades, both during school and for the school’s extracurricular FIRST team. FIRST provides real-world problems and develops student communication, problem-solving, and communication. Funds will be spent on three levels of materials sets: STEAM Park, WeDo 2.0, and MINDSTORMS.
Dickens Elementary, Clark County School District, was awarded $19,927 and will implement Project Lead the Way (PLTW) in kindergarten through 5th grades. Dickens’s goals for the program include: 1) increase student achievement by integrating STEM throughout multiple subjects to establish Dickens as a STEM school; 2) Increase student interest and participation through hands-on evidence-based experiential STEM learning in K-5; and 3) Increase exposure to STEM for underrepresented demographic groups and low socio-economic students. Funds will be spent on 15 modules, summit training and associated travel for seven staff members, core training for 25 staff members, and one year’s participation fee (to be funded through the school’s budget hereafter).
Flag View Intermediate, Elko County School District was awarded $20,000 and will implement core training which is required for educators to access the curriculum of Project Lead the Way (PLTW). Flag View will send 5 teachers to these core trainings in January and purchase the STEM supplies so that they are able to teach the PLTW 5th grade classes in the 2nd semester this year.
French Elementary, Clark County School District, was awarded $20,000 and will implement KinderLab Robotics-Kibo into eight classrooms, impacting approximately 160 students per year. Primary students will use the KinderLab materials to ask questions, make observations, develop simple sketches, analyze data, plan and conduct investigations, and become proficient with a variety of technologies. Funds will be used to purchase classroom kits and extensions as well as training required for the program.
Heard Elementary, Clark County School District, was awarded $18,205 and will implement Engineering is Elementary (EiE) with Kindergarten-5th grade students. The teachers will collaborate to increase STEM learning for all students at Heard. The program will support students’ collaboration, critical-thinking, and communication skills. Funds will be used to purchase several EiE kits for each grade level K-5.
Mariposa Academy Public Charter School was awarded $16,834 for the implementation of Project Lead the Way (PLTW) for K-5 students. The PLTW modules will include enough supplies for 30 students to complete each module. Mariposa will use the grant funds for PLTW implementation, and will include: The annual participation fee for this year; professional development for the STEAM teacher; equipment and supplies for 24 modules which include 4 units of study for each grade level from K-5th grades.
Mater Academy of Nevada Public Charter School was awarded $19,582 and with this K-5 PLTW project, Mater Academy will implement PLTW Launch (elementary) in Kindergarten - 5th grade classrooms. The PLTW Launch program will help prepare students for the middle school electives while developing 21st century skills, as aligned with the school's mission. Mater will purchase materials and pay for related expenses to implement the program.
May Elementary, Clark County School District, was awarded $6,520 to implement Engineering is Elementary with 2nd through 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.
McCaw STEAM Academy, Clark County School District. was awarded $13,571 and will implement Full Option Science Systems (FOSS) in grades 1-5. The FOSS kits will be used as a foundation for multi-disciplinary curriculum, connecting science with writing and reading. Funds will be used for 41 FOSS kits and their accompanying student books.
McCaw STEAM Academy, Clark County School District, was awarded $9,776 and will work with DRI’s Green Box program to develop two Dynamic Data mini Green Boxes. The funds for this project will be used to purchase materials and fund DRI staff time for kit development.
Panaca Elementary, Lincoln County School District, was awarded $20,000 and will implement Kinderlab Robotics KIBO, impacting approximately 174 students each year. With this funding Panaca Elementary will make science hands on with real world applications by using robotics to engage students in learning concepts and skills from disciplines such as computer science and engineering in a developmentally appropriate way by integrating them with other curricular areas (including, math, literacy, physical movement and the arts), and with opportunities for social emotional growth.
Twin Lakes Elementary, Clark County School District, was awarded $1,846 and will implement STEM in Action in kindergarten through 5th grades. The program will be used to increase student SBAC scores, STEM knowledge, and career exploration. Funds will be used to purchase six STEM in Action kits that the STEM teacher will use with students.
Walker Elementary, Clark County School District, was awarded $20,000 and will implement PLTW Launch in kindergarten through 5th grade. The program will help teachers more consistently implement project-based learning. The school aims to increase student confidence, interest in STEM, and career exploration. Funds will be used to purchase three modules per grade level, and training for 24 staff members.
Winnemucca Grammar, Humboldt County School District was awarded $18,953 and will implement Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Launch program. PLTW Launch builds upon the exploratory nature of students to engage them in STEM learning. PLTW Launch includes 28 interdisciplinary modules to provide a transformative learning experience. This program will introduce grades K- 4, design-thinking to support students to become creative, collaborative problem solvers ready for college, career, and beyond. Essential skills targeted through PLTW Launch include: problem solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and perseverance.