The Description of the Grant to Apply
Careful selection of a funder is crucial for the success of a project. Blanco et al. (2016) propose that there are two basic strategies for searching for the funder. The first strategy is to create a concisely communicated idea and search for an agency that might be interested in it (Blanco et al., 2016). The second approach is to scan for funding opportunities similar to the general idea a person has in mind and try to apply for the RFP (Blanco et al., 2016). The second approach was utilized to find a funder for the proposed project.
After careful consideration, it was decided to pursue the opportunity to apply for a grant provided by the National Science Foundation titled Computer science for all that can be found using the following hyperlink: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=323653. The grant aims at helping students in PreK-12 levels to participate in computer science (NSF, 2021). Three categories of people can apply for the grant. First, high school teachers with the preparation, professional development (PD), and ongoing support they need to teach rigorous computer science courses. Second, PreK-8 teachers with the instructional materials and preparation they need to integrate CS and CT into their teaching. Finally, schools and districts with the resources needed to define and evaluate multi-grade pathways in CS and CT.
The proposed project will help children in my school learn how to operate with computers, which may increase their level of interest and satisfaction with learning. The aims of the project are in accord with the goals NSF is trying to achieve with this grant. Additionally, I fall into the second category of people that may apply for the project. Thus, it was decided that the grant is worth pursuing.
Evaluation of grants is vital for maximizing the possibility of success of a project. Browning (2014) suggests that each funding opportunity should be evaluated in terms of feasibility and reliability. The information concerning the RFP is reliable, as it is posted on the government website. This implies that all the information was checked, and the government guarantees its reliability. Feasibility was assessed by juxtaposing the requirements and aims with the specifications of the proposed project. The procedure revealed no significant contradictions, which makes the opportunity to pursue the RFP feasible.
The RFP was found using the search engine provided by grants.gov. At first, it was considered to use Google to search for grant opportunities. While the search provided many results, it was difficult to evaluate their relevancy. Thus, it was decided to search for a grant using grants.gov. After the successful search and evaluation, the grant provided by the NSF was selected as it was the most feasible and reliable option.
The Description of the Project
The project proposes to create computer science courses for PreK-4 students in an elementary school. First, the project includes creating relevant course materials for the youngest students through collaboration with the most talented and experienced teachers and policymakers in the school country. Second, the project requires creating a special classroom with the latest equipment, including top-quality personal computers, video and audio recording equipment, network essentials, virtual reality, and presentation equipment. Third, the project supposes that essential training will be provided to teachers in the school to help students learn computer science.
The project is crucial for the school and the community, as students currently do not have the opportunity to learn computer science appropriately. Even though there are computer classes for elementary school students, the teachers are undertrained, and there are not enough computers to provide all the students with an adequate level of education. Moreover, the computers in the school are outdated, which makes them difficult to use. Implementation of the proposed project can help to improve the prestige of the school country and help the students receive an appropriate education.
The project was driven by the idea that everyone should have the ability to learn computer science starting from pre-school. The purpose of the project is to increase the level of computer literacy in elementary schools. The initiative is a powerful addition to the current way of improving computer literacy in the community, as it provides the opportunity for children to enroll in a computer science club, which can improve their level of satisfaction with the process of learning and improve the outcomes.
References
Blanco, M. A., Gruppen, L. D., Artino Jr, A. R., Uijtdehaage, S., Szauter, K., & Durning, S. J. (2016). How to write an educational research grant: AMEE Guide No. 101. Medical Teacher, 38(2), 113-122.
Browning, B. A. (2014). Grant writing for dummies. John Wiley & Sons.
National Science Foundation. (2021). Computer science for all. Grants.gov. Web.