Rhinebeck Science Foundation

Other Grants

A guide to outside funding sources available through the Rhinebeck Science Foundation.

• What kinds of grants are out there?
  RSF is cultivating relationships with a wide network of grant-making foundations and institutions. Talk to us about your ideas and we can help make an appropriate match between you and a group that funds projects like yours. For a great overview of innovative science, math, and technology education projects, you may want to take a look at US News and World Report's recent issue on the Top 100 high schools in America: http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/high-schools.
   
  The first step is to talk to us! Please contact Alison Vaccarino () or the RSF Board () and let us know what you are interested in doing.
   
  
• But am I eligible to apply?
  Any Rhinebeck Central School district teacher is eligible to work with us to obtain outside funding (you don't have to be a science teacher to apply). We hope to see teachers from all areas and disciplines take advantage of our resources. As long as you are proposing hands-on, thematic learning that relates to math, science, and technology in a broad sense (be it in the arts, media or humanities), we are committed to helping you.
  
  RSF can apply directly to certain groups that wouldn't ordinarily consider applications from individual teachers or public school administrators. We can help you gain access to these funds under our auspices as a separate not-for-profit foundation. Talking to us is the first step; gaining the support of your building principal is also an integral part of the process.
   
  
• Is my project too costly/small in scale?
  Don't limit yourself by cost! We can apply to foundations who grant funds to public schools as well as to other not-for profit organizations. RSF is ready to research and apply for a wide array of grants on your behalf.
   
  For ideas about innovative learning on a grand scale, take a look at the Microsoft Innovative School Program site:
   
  http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/2/b/82b2555c-b21b-4e91-bdd0-c5dbade46573/InnovativeSchools.pdf (pdf document)
   
  Give us a call or e-mail. Alison Vaccarino () and the RSF Board () are ready to help you get started.
   
  
• I'm interested but not clear on what kinds of funding I might seek.
  Sit down with us and talk about what you would like to see happen in your classroom. Perhaps you have a project you already do that could become more ambitious. Let us help you expand that project. Or there might be an activity you have in mind that could lead to a more sustained curricular innovation. We want to help you attain your goals. Let us share in the research and development of your great ideas. RSF supports a range of grant applications for:

  Professional Development. Think about attending the annual School of the Future World Summit. For more info on Microsoft's education initiative see: http://www.microsoft.com/education/schooloffuture.mspx
   
  Equipment in your classroom. RSF wrote a grant to Taconic IPA for microscopes and recording equipment that went directly into classrooms last year. For more information and ideas, see the Taconic IPA community foundation website: http://www.cfdcny.org/page31236.cfm.
   
  Special Programming. Let's explore additional resources to supplement the curriculum with hands-on, innovative projects related to science, technology and mathematics at every level, K-12. This can include bringing area professionals into your classroom. We maintain a list of local volunteers who are eager to pair with teachers as well as to act as mentors for students in science, math, and technology. Right now, we have AP biology pupils shadowing surgeons and an active mentor for high school students on the science faculty at Marist. For more on this approach to active learning, see the American Association for the Advancement of Science Website and read about their K-8 science volunteer program: http://www.aaas.org/programs/education/SSE/activities/mcps.shtml.
   
  Learning Beyond the Classroom. Foundations often support active learning in environments beyond the classroom. Talk with us about visiting these places to enrich the program. Exciting resources are available at the Cary Institute in Millbrook, the Sloop Clearwater, and other area sites dedicated to educating young people about science, math and technology in the world around us.

• Not sure of what is possible in the context of your own classroom? Take a look at what other area educators are up to. Local science programs include:

  Project Lead the Way Inc. (PLTW)
  The Pine Plains Lego League Robotics group: