HATS STEDTRAIN
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Science and Technology EDucation and TRAINing (STEDTRAIN)

STEDTRAIN is a Committee of the Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS) that administers a Seed Grant program that provides funding up to $1,000 to an educator for innovative hands-on classroom projects that will stimulate children’s interest in science and technology.

Since the Program began in 1988, it has distributed over $367,478 for 392 individual grants and other worthy educational projects. The grants currently benefit approximately 10,000 students directly and about 20,000 indirectly a year.

HATS is grateful to many of its Member societies, corporate, and individual donors for their support. The current economic situation, however, undoubtedly will substantially increase the number of grant applications received for the 2012-2013 school season, requiring funding substantially beyond what was previously possible.

Click here to see the donors list.

Send your tax-deductible donation (and make checks payable) to
HATS STEDTRAIN, P.O. Box 1964, Huntsville, AL 35807

Grant Funds Available for the 2012-2013 School Season

The STEDTRAIN Committee is pleased to announce continuation of its Seed Grant Program for K-12 schools in Jackson, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Limestone Counties in Alabama and Lincoln County in Tennessee for the 2012-2013 school year. Educators are encouraged to apply by submitting your proposal through our online collection system. Seed Grants range from $200 to $1,000. Proposals that obviously seek to obtain just hardware - technology without a good program are rated low.

• April 1, 2012, before 4:30 P.M. -- Proposals completed and submitted by the lead teacher before. The deadline is controlled by a computer and it is very strict. Please do not wait until the last minute to submit your proposal. We suggest you submit your proposal at least a few days before the deadline in case of school system difficulties.

• April 3, 2012, before midnight -- The lead teacher's principal must approve the proposal.

• April 5, 2012, no later than -- The list of proposals received will be posted.

• April 15, 2012, before 4:30 P.M. -- The lead educators responsibility is to review and report any problems to the STEDTRAIN committee using the link provided in the list of proposals received.

• July 31, 2011, on or about -- Email notifications will be sent to the lead educator and their principal.

• 25 August 2012, Saturday, AM -- Awards Ceremony.

• 20 January 2013 -- midterm report due

• 27 April 2013, Saturday, AM -- final reports due

Some confusion has existed in the past as to the meaning of "Seed." The word "Seed" as used for the Seed Grant Program is meant to be taken figuratively, not literally. We normally do not fund planting vegetable or flower seeds unless the activity is part of a valid hands-on botany project. We fund innovative projects that "seed" an enthusiasm in students for science and technology education.

HATS requests that you announce this opportunity and encourage teachers, students, and parents to jointly prepare proposals for an award of a grant.

Target Audience: K-12 Science, Math and Technology Teachers; K12 Central Office Personnel and Principals; Curriculum Specialists; Scientists and Engineers from Industry; University Faculty and Deans (math, science); and AMSTI (Al Math., Sci., Technl. Initiative) Members. Parents and others who might be interested, welcome. PDF files will open in a new window.

• 2012-13 Seed Grant Request for Proposals (PDF)

• 2012-13 Seed Grant Proposal Guidelines (PDF)
  
• 2012-13 Seed Grant Proposal Recommendations (PDF)
  
• 2012-13 Seed Grant Proposal Application Form
  
• 2012-13 Example Application Form

• 2009-10 Seed Grant Proposals Received (PDF)
• 2010-11 Seed Grant Proposals Received
• 2011-12 Seed Grant Proposals Received

 
The Seed Grant proposal deadline is 4:30PM on 1 April!