SECTION IV: PROJECT APPROACH (20 TOTAL POINTS)
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Application Question
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Grantee Response
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Pts. Possible
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Pts. Awarded
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Reviewer Notes
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How will your project support Thrive’s goals to increase STEM successes for children birth to five and/or their parents/families in a culturally responsive way?
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The survey and partner organization invitation that will be included in the planning phase will reach out to diverse cultures in the region. Their input will be reflected in the final plan as we design a curriculum and training approach that takes into account where each partner is starting from in STEM education. Here is a partial list of those organizations that will be included in this process; American Indian Center, Spokane, Kalispell and Colville Tribes, Salish School, Refugee Connections, Martin Luther King Jr. Center, Bethel AME Church, and Richard Allen Center. The way in which we hope to deliver training is also culturally responsive to our geographically isolated communities. We can go to them or they can access the online trainings we plan on developing.
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10
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How does this project represent an innovative approach that is unique to the learning of children and/or families?
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Our innovative approach to the grant involves a regional collaboration of established systems providing professional development around STEM principles and practices. The choice of the Spokane County Library District as the lead agency will serve as a model for other libraries that are typically thought of as the place to go to for literacy education. The SCLD has learned to effectively combine literacy activities with STEM activities when working with childcare providers, early learning professionals, and families. Creating "STEM Moments" and equipping teachers, caregivers and community mentors with the skills needed to train others, provides a broad base of action that allows for maximum community involvement in STEM awareness and learning. This effort is supported by the Spokane STEM Network and aligns with the Network's regional Priorities for Action to provide professional development in STEM practices that support the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. This regional, multi-sector partnership also aligns with Washington STEM's Framework for Action. Introducing a standard curriculum that is well branded, has an identified name, and is easily recognized as STEM for early learning is an approach that has not been done in this region before.
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5
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This project includes the development of an advisory/planning group from our seven county region during the planning phase. Included in the letter of intent for the STEM grant was a list of new partners that we hope to connect with during the project that represent various early learning organizations within the geographic region that the INWELA covers. This collection of early learning organizations includes Rural Resources Community Action, the Palouse Early Learning Coalition, NEWESD 101, United Way, Community Minded Enterprises (CME), Child Care Aware, Head Start, and SCLD. Three of the organizations in the collaboration, serve on the Spokane STEM Network Executive Committee which positions us to both share and scale the outcomes of our work within the network and across the state. New partners we hope to connect with in the community are agencies serving diverse cultural groups such as the American Indian Center, the Salish School, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center to name a few. We also have the opportunity to connect with the ELPLP, which is a state wide library partnership, to draw on their experience with STEM projects.
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5
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Project Approach Total Points
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20
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SECTION V: PROJECT TIMELINE (10 TOTAL POINTS) - PLEASE REFER TO THE PROJECT TIMELINE ON THE NEXT PAGE FOR REFERENCE.
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Application Question
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Grantee Response
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Pts. Possible
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Pts. Awarded
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Reviewer Notes
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Proposed Planning Activities
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The survey and partner organization invitation that will be included in the planning phase will reach out to diverse cultures in the region. Their input will be reflected in the final plan as we design a curriculum and training approach that takes into account where each partner is starting from in STEM education. Here is a partial list of those organizations that will be included in this process; American Indian Center, Spokane, Kalispell and Colville Tribes, Salish School, Refugee Connections, Martin Luther King Jr. Center, Bethel AME Church, and Richard Allen Center. The way in which we hope to deliver training is also culturally responsive to our geographically isolated communities. We can go to them or they can access the online trainings we plan on developing.
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5
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Proposed Implementation Activities
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The survey and partner organization invitation that will be included in the planning phase will reach out to diverse cultures in the region. Their input will be reflected in the final plan as we design a curriculum and training approach that takes into account where each partner is starting from in STEM education. Here is a partial list of those organizations that will be included in this process; American Indian Center, Spokane, Kalispell and Colville Tribes, Salish School, Refugee Connections, Martin Luther King Jr. Center, Bethel AME Church, and Richard Allen Center. The way in which we hope to deliver training is also culturally responsive to our geographically isolated communities. We can go to them or they can access the online trainings we plan on developing.
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5
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Project Timeline Total Points
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10
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Proposed Planning Activities
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Anticipated Outcome
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Start & End Dates
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Potential Partner Survey
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To engage possible partners (forming of advisory group), determine their role with the planning process, find out where they are in STEM education
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Oct 1 – Oct 31, 2014
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Planning Meeting 1
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Establish goals of project, outcomes, roles of participants and next steps. Present an outline of the STEM early learning plan and facilitate building an in-depth plan for the region including training and curriculum.
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November 1 – November 30, 2014
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Planning Meeting 2
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Review a draft of the plan. Make refinements and establish roles of each organization in carrying out the plan.
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December 1 – December 31, 2014
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Planning Meeting 3
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STEM Regional 12 month plan rolled out. Activities defined, organizations confirmed for specific activities, master calendar of events released, audiences with messaging identified.
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January 1 – January 31, 2015
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Curriculum Development
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Curriculum to be used will be finalized making sure to keep WA state early learning and development guidelines, Common Core Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards for Kindergartens
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February 1 – February 30, 2015
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Implementation Activities
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Anticipated Outcome
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Start & End Dates
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Development of the STEM Units
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STEM Units will be ready for trainers, teachers, and families to use.
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March 1, 2015 – April 30,, 2015
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Train the Trainer sessions
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Trainers will be trained on how to use the curriculum and how to use the STEM Units
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May 1, 2015-June 30, 2015
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Training for early learning providers/early learning teachers
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Early learning providers and teachers will be trained on how to use the curriculum and on how to use the STEM units
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July 1, 2015-October 31, 2015
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Survey Partner Organizations
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Survey of advisory group and partner organizations for feedback on the plan implementation to include successes, challenges, lessons learned, and suggestions for changes.
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November 1 – November 30, 2015
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Advisory Group Meeting
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Meeting to review results of the survey, gather recommendations from the partner organizations about additions and changes to the plan. Establish next steps and ways to sustain the implementation of the plan for year 2.
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December 8, 2015
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STEM units and curriculum used in centers and classrooms
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Early Learning teachers/ child care providers will be using the materials in their classrooms/centers
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August 1, 2015 – March 31, 2016
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Survey/data collection
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Survey child care providers and early learning teachers on use of the curriculum and STEM units
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February 1 – February 29, 2016
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Advisory Group Meeting
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Meeting to review results of survey to providers and teachers. Gather recommendations from the partner organizations about additions and changes to the plan.
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March 10, 2016
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SECTION VI: BUDGET AND ATTACHMENTS (7 TOTAL POINTS )
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Application Question
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Grantee Response
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Pts. Possible
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Pts. Awarded
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Reviewer Notes
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What is the total operating budget for your organization?
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$11,255,612
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1
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For each key budget category, describe how you will use the funds requested to implement the project described.
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Personnel: Total - $16,000
The personnel to be used for this project come from existing partners of the INWELA. PL refers to planning phase and IM refers to implementation phase. One of the things we have found useful is having a person dedicated to keeping our meeting on track (Meeting Facilitator) and someone to help coordinate meetings and contacting partners (PR and Communications Staff). Staff dedicated to training development and coordination is also included in this section.
Staff Recruitment, Training, etc..: Total - $2,000
We have dedicated $200/training to cover costs that may incur to pay trainers, meeting rooms or rental equipment.
Travel: Total - $2,000
Travel reimbursement for our rural communities is crucial given the large demographic area we plan to cover with training and meetings. We have allotted $2,000 for 3,571 miles of travel at $.56/mile.
Equipment: Total - $11,800
This will cover the expenses for the STEM Units to include books, manipulatives, and activity booklets. We will put together 118 units to distribute throughout the region.
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6
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Budget and Attachments Total Points
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7
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