Educators invited to apply for grants for ag-related books and classroom projects
Teachers, could you use $250 in books or $300 for a classroom project? If you answered “yes” to this question, you have until October 15 to fill out an easy online application for your chance to earn a grant!
Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom is offering educator grants for ag-related books or classroom equipment. The grants are available for current Illinois teachers working in K-12 classrooms.
“It’s been a challenging time to be a teacher the past year and a half. These grants are meant to help teachers provide new and exciting opportunities for students to help them better understand the role agriculture plays in their daily lives,” said Kevin Daugherty, Education Director for Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom.”
Educators are encouraged to contact Rhodora Collins, Ag Literacy Coordinator at DeKalb County Farm Bureau, for ideas and assistance in applying for their grants. “This is a really neat opportunity for DeKalb County teachers,” says Collins. “I’m excited to discuss ideas and provide support in any way I can!” She can be reached at rcollins@dekalbfarmbureau.org.
IAITC Classroom Project Grants
Classroom Project Grants from Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom are intended to enable interesting and valuable agricultural experiences for students. They are available for up to $300 for materials or equipment that can be used over multiple school years.
Past funded projects include supplies to construct a small greenhouse for a 3rd grade garden, cell models and microscopes for a 6th grade unit on the parts and functions of plant and animal cells, and a hydroponics kit and accessories for an 8th grade unit on plant growth. This grant does not provide funding for field trips, landscaping, plants, incubators, or consumable items.
Classroom Project Grant criteria may be found at https://bit.ly/3hew0iq.
Apply for the Classroom Project Grant at http://iaitc.co/projectgrants.
IAITC Book Grants
Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom’s Book Grants are available for up to $250 worth of titles in four categories: STEM, Biographies, Insects & Pollinators, and Novels.
Teachers may select a category and then select the titles and quantities they wish to obtain from a list of options. They will also describe how the books will be used in the classroom, including learning standards addressed, objectives, and evaluation. Books will be shipped directly to grant awardees.
Book Grant criteria may be found at https://bit.ly/3BTi0m1.
Apply for a Book Grant at http://iaitc.co/bookgrants.
