MCTM Teacher Incentive Grant FAQs
Q: What are the expectations if I receive the grant?
A: If you receive the grant, it is expected that you would complete the project and use the money as outlined in your application. It is also expected that you would write a report at the completion of the project. If possible, your report would be made available to other MCTM members so they could duplicate your ideas in their own classroom.
Q: What kinds of equipment can I request?
A: Any equipment is fair game. However, the project must have a plan for the equipment. Other educators must be able to replicate your project. The focus of the grant project is on the project, not just a piece of equipment. Equipment does not meet the standards or use best practices. In your application, portray your ideas and innovations which will use the equipment, but also meet at least one standard and use best practices.
Q: Do I need to be a member of MCTM?
A: Yes. This grant is for MCTM members.
Q: How do I share my results?
A: The preferred way is to give a presentation at a conference. The other option is a detailed article for Math Bits. With either option, we would ask that you write a detailed report describing what you did, activities, the successes, any documents that could be used by others, and pictures. We would allow other teachers to download these from the web unless there are copyright issues.
Q: If I present, who pays for conference expenses?
A: For each presentation at a conference, one conference fee is waived. If you have 2 people involved in the project, then do presentations with 2 different topics from your project. Presenters are required to pay for their own travel, motel, food, and supplies for their session. For further details, see the speaker proposal and guidelines for conferences.
Q: What kinds of things can I apply for?
A: There is no one requirement. The best applications incorporate or model best practices and meet the standards. The Teacher Incentive Grant Committee uses the following criteria when selecting recipients: Innovation/addresses Standards, establishment of needs, activities clearly stated, realistic plan of action, ability to replicate, and proposed resources/expenditures appropriate
Q: Can I submit with a partner?
A: Yes, projects may be done by more than 1 teacher. Identify which person will be the project leader.
Q: Do I have to ask for all $1500?
A: No, you may ask for any amount to $1500. MCTM allocates $1500 per year for grants. If a project takes less than that, then MCTM can award the remainder to another grant applicant.
Q: When do I find out if I have been selected?
A: The Teacher Incentive Grant committee meets in June of each year. You will be notified by June 30 if you are selected or not.
Q: What standards should I address?
A: You may address any standards from the 2007 Minnesota Mathematics Standards.
Q: What does it mean to replicate?
A: MCTM wants the grant money to foster new ideas and projects that can be shared with others. Other educators must be able to take your project and implement it in their own classroom. If you develop lesson plans, activities, student worksheets, etc, these need to be made available so that others don’t have to redevelop them.
Q: What is the timeline for to complete the project?
A: The project must be completed in the next school year. For example, if you receive the grant in June 2009, then the project must be done in 2009-2010 school year. If it is completed by March 2010, then you should present at the 2010 spring conference or the 2010 fall conference.
Q: What kinds of projects have been funded in the past?
A: In the past 4 years, projects include: 1) a sewing machine for a geometry quilt project ; 2) supplies for an after school math club with a geometry focus for grades 3-6; 3) Projects for Geometry and Algebra involving Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic learning styles
