Supporting educators in Orange County high schools, providing project-based STEM learning opportunities
With an OC Community Support Grant of $100,000 from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) will open its third year offering of the Inspired Teacher Grant Program.
In 2024, a total of $200,000 in grants were awarded to 60 schools, which supported 66 field trips and projects, serving 15,075 students throughout Orange County.
“This support for the Inspired Teacher Grant Program ensures that students gain access to enriching classroom experiences that would typically be beyond their reach. We are delighted to collaborate to provide these invaluable opportunities, empowering students to uncover their passions and contribute to a brighter future for our community.
About the Program
The Inspired Teacher Grant Program supports hands‐on classroom projects and field trips that encourage experiential learning, enhance student understanding, and increase student achievement in relation to the California curriculum standards.
Fulfilling the aim of "supporting young scientists today for tomorrow's breakthrough discoveries," the grant provided by Beckman Foundation will be used to fund STEM-focused projects and field trips for high school students.
Read a press release about this grant here.
Request for Proposals
Sept. 4, 2024:
The Orange County Community Foundation has opened the Inspired Teacher Grant Program.
The 2024-25 Inspired Teacher Grant Program presents an opportunity for Orange County public school teachers to seek funding for projects, field trips, tools, materials or ideas that will present an enrichment opportunity for their students & enhance the educational experience of their classroom, department, or school.
This year, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation is partnering with the Inspired Teacher Grant program to provide funding for High School STEM requests.
For additional criteria, please review the PDF flyer shown below.
Who can apply:
- All credentialed K-12 public school teachers currently teaching in a school in Orange County
Logistics:
- Awards will be provided:
- Up to $1,000 per class project
- Up to $5,000 per grade level or dept project
- Up to $10,000 per school project
- Grant must be utilized by the end of the 2024-25 school year
- Limit of one grant request per teacher
- Consideration given to:
- Number of students impacted by grant request
- Socio-economic status of school and students
- Preference is given to:
- Classroom projects
- Field trips with ongoing, in classroom connections (rather than one time experiences)
Deadline: October 11, 2024 at 5:00pm PT
All applications must be completed and submitted online here.
“We’re delighted to partner with the Orange County Community Foundation to support our science educators in advancing their students’ understanding of science concepts by bringing more project-based learning and hands-on STEM activities into OC high schools, as well as deepening their appreciation for diversity in science and awareness of STEM career opportunities. Our aim is to support young scientists today for tomorrow’s breakthrough discoveries, and we’re confident that the Inspired Teacher Grant Program through OCCF is similarly focused on getting students the STEM education resources they need to thrive and providing teachers with the support they need to enable greater STEM achievement.
Learn More:
Apply Here:
Application portal for 2024-25 Inspired Teacher Grant Program
