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Writing a grant proposal was a challenging task. Just simply coming up with an idea was a small part of a grant proposal. Through creating a proposal I learned the amount of research it takes to select the items desired in the grant, the overall purpose and how it will support learning based on curriculum needs, and the cost breakdown needed to fund the proposal.
Creating a grant proposal was a creative way to show the design of the technology desired. Creating the Wonder Workshop grant proposal showed my how to design a program for use in schools and evaluate the technology to meet the needs of student learners.
Technology Grant Proposal Brief
The Robotics Club at Sendera Ranch Elementary in Northwest ISD wishes to increase student hands-on engagement by providing a Wonder Workshop Tech pack that includes Dot and Dash robots, a launcher, accessory packs, a building brick connector, and comprehensive coding lesson plans which will enable smaller groups of students to work collaboratively on robotics because currently students are working in larger groups with less hands-on engagement. The tech pack will allow for more focused instruction and hands-on application in smaller student groups than what is currently offered for the robotics club. In a technology-driven world, teaching robotics can help develop a student's ability to be a creative and innovative thinker. The goal is to provide students with a first-hand experience with computer science instruction and meaningful opportunities to develop problem-solving skills through collaboration. This grant will help expand the current Robotics Club by providing additional resources to a maximum of 36 elementary students who will be able to work in smaller collaborative groups, rather than in a whole group setting.
This proposal includes twelve Dot and Dash robots, a launcher, accessory packs, a building brick connector, and comprehensive coding lesson plans that can accommodate 12 groups of 1-3 students per group. In addition to the Wonder Workshop Tech pack, educators will have access to online Wonder Workshop training tutorials that support the curriculum. The robotics club will be offered as a fall and spring semester club every other Monday from 7:45-8:45 am.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, STEM jobs are increasing two times faster than non-STEM related jobs. Recent studies suggest that there are insufficient numbers of high school graduates selecting technology-related careers in college. These technology disciplines are guiding innovations in medicine, science, and engineering. Using robotics as a new and exciting platform has attracted young learners who may not have otherwise shown an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The STEM Academy of Northwest ISD mission statement states, "We will create a culture of inquiry and creativity that prepares students for challenging careers and real-world success".
The instructional technologist coach, classroom teachers, and volunteer parents will be the Robotics Club facilitators. Together they will design collaborative lesson plans to assist students in hands-on exploration. Teachers will collaborate with parents whose children are in the Robotics Club to provide coding training which is also accessible at home using the Wonder Workshop online tools.
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