Mini-grants for higher education programs

Purpose:

1. Build a foundation of knowledge among faculty in your education program to understand computer science
2. Integrate computer science and computational thinking elements into the curriculum.
3. Incorporate existing resources to address the MD K12 CS standards into your education courses 

Questions to consider:

1. Do you have a plan to provide multiple experiences for students in an education pathway with integrated computational thinking and computer science skills? Who do you need to bring on board to make this work?
2. What percentage of your education faculty will your proposal support?
3. What connections do you have between your CS faculty, your local school system, and other institutions?
4. What percentage of your undergraduate education students will the results of your work reach?
5. How will the project you design create a lasting impact on the understanding of computational thinking and computer science among the students who graduate from your program? How will they be better prepared for what they will be to support what students are learning in the Maryland K-12 classrooms?

Required elements:

1. Have a plan to develop something that can be sustained beyond the grant period.
2. Start by making use of high-quality existing materials and activities that align to what is being done in Maryland classrooms.
3. Plan to expose students to multiple experiences of applied computational thinking, computer science skills, and opportunities to design CT/CS experiences for children.
4. Collaborate with local school systems and between higher education institutions.
5. Become familiar with the MD K12 CS standards and the national CS teacher standards. (csteachers.org)
6. Attend a MD higher education preservice workshop and follow-up day. REGISTER HERE
   1. Preservice Workshop #1: June 16-18. 8:30-12:30 each day. 12 hours total. Focus on specific activities for introductory-level education classes. REGISTER HERE
   2. Preservice Workshop #2: June 28-July 2. 8:30-12:30 each day. 20 hours total. Focus on effective use of computational thinking integrated into subject areas. Participants will earn micro-credentials as part of the workshop. REGISTER HERE
   3. Preservice Workshop #3: July 19-July 23. 8:30-12:30 each day. 20 hours total. Identical to Workshop #2 on a different date. Participants will earn micro-credentials as part of the workshop. REGISTER HERE
   4. Follow-up days: July 27 or July 28. 8:30-12:30. 4 hours total each day (choose one or both) REGISTER HERE
7. SUBMIT:
   1. A narrative that includes:
      1. Grant PI information and background
      2. Goals and objectives
      3. Timeline
      4. Summary of who this will reach and how it will sustain.
   2. Budget. Use this spreadsheet if it applies.

Budget limit:
Starter grants: $3,000 - $5,000. Follow up mini-grants up to $10,000

Eligibility: Maryland institutions of higher education with courses in education.

Timeline:  6-9 months

Email MCCE at usmd dot edu with your information to apply.