Behind every successful student is a passionate, highly trained, inspired teacher. To further inspire and support the Edina Public School staff, the Edina Education Fund has announced the opening of its 2015-2016 Innovation Grants Program. Initial Project Concept Forms are due online December 1. Grants will be awarded January 26-27, 2016.
Since 1999, the Edina Education Fund has awarded nearly 300 Innovation Grants to educators in all nine Edina Public Schools. Grants typically range from $1,000 - $5,000. However, in honor of its 20th anniversary of supporting the Edina Public Schools, the Edina Education Fund is offering one additional $20,000 grant award. Applicants may submit more than one grant request, but only one grant request per award level.
The Ed Fund’s Innovation Grants are available to all Edina Public School District staff. Through the Innovation Grants Program, the Edina Education Fund supports projects that encourage and facilitate innovation, inspiration and creativity in the classroom, promote collaboration and the exchange of ideas, and further academic excellence in Edina Public Schools.
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“Educators have wowed us with their creativity and dedication to keeping Edina Public Schools on the cutting edge of teaching and learning, and we are so proud to be able to make their innovative projects happen,” said Tracie Huhn-Carr, Edina Education Fund Executive Director.
In the 2015-2016 academic year, the Edina Education Fund is especially interested in projects that align with three of the District’s Educational Competencies: Globally Competent Individual, Motivated Lifelong Learner, and Well-Rounded Individual. In addition, funded projects will advance curriculum through best practice/staff development, curricular standards, and 21st century learning.
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Initial Project Concept Forms are due December 1. Applicants will be notified by December 8 if they are invited to submit a full proposal. Full proposals will be due January 8. All requests are reviewed by the Edina Education Fund’s Executive Director and Innovative Grants Team as part of an annual process, with final approval by the Board of Directors. Grants will be awarded January 26-27, 2016.
Nearly 300 past Innovation Grant awards have been made to many leading-edge programs in the Edina Public School District. One recent grant for a project at Edina High School, titled “Earthquake Engineering Shake Tables”, provided two shake tables, software from Purdue University, and K’Nex building kits. The project introduced high school students to earthquake design, and these students in turn taught fifth graders about the concepts of earthquake engineering, enhancing fifth grade science learning.
An additional grant was awarded to Creek Valley Elementary School for its “The Leader in Me” program. Grant funds allowed for teacher training, curriculum and tools to teach Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits” to students and continue the implementation of Stephen Covey’s “Leader in Me” philosophy in the school.
“The Edina Education Fund applauds the efforts of Edina Public School educators to bring new and exciting teaching methods into their classrooms,” said Huhn-Carr. “We are so excited to help make their creative ideas a reality again this year as we celebrate our 20th anniversary.”
To access online applications or additional information regarding key dates and grant guidelines, visit: www.edinaedfund.com/programs/grant-schedule/
About Edina Education Fund
Founded in 1999, the Edina Education Fund is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the continued academic excellence of the Edina Public Schools. The Ed Fund secures private, supplemental funding to support valuable education experiences and innovative projects in the Edina Public Schools. Funds raised augment school system revenues that are provided by taxes, state aid, and other parent and student led fundraising efforts.
