**Announcing the 2009-2010 Qwest Teachers and  Technology Mini-Grant Competition**   

The Utah State Office of Education (USOE) is pleased to announce the Qwest Foundation for Education has made available $50,000.00 to award to Utah’s K-12 technology pioneering teachers who demonstrate innovative uses of technology in the classroom. 

The grant’s purpose is to recognize, at the classroom level, those teachers integrating technology into their daily curriculum and to help expand or enhance their students’ learning experiences using technology.  Applicants are encouraged to create innovative teaching and learning projects and activities that take advantage of today's technology tools and resources to improve teaching and learning.  Applicants are encouraged to incorporate cross-over between subject areas, engage students in project-producing events with measurable results, use distance education mediums, and persuade other teachers and administrators to follow their example.

 

 

Eligible teachers may submit for one grant award for up to $2500. Grant funds may be used to purchase technology and/or supplies, pay for distance education expenses, or to support professional development needs; however, funds may not be used to pay salaries or to pay stipends. 

Funds are awarded to the teacher at the classroom level. All materials and services purchased with Qwest Foundation funds as a result of this award are the property of the school district / charter school. 

A panel representing the USOE and Qwest will meet in January 2010 to determine which applications will be funded. Grant funds must be expended by June 30, 2011. 

 ***The application deadline is Friday, December 18, 2009*** 

 Mini-grant goals:

·      improve student achievement using today’s technology

·      build real-world team problem-solving environments

·      lay groundwork for future technology integration projects

 

Mini-grant purposes:

·      recognize and reward innovative teachers

·      reward out-of-the-box thinking

·      leverage classroom technology outside of the standard “brick and mortar" resources

·      encourage student use of real-world communicative mediums and development of problem-solving skills  crossing-over between different subjects

·      set examples of technology integration’s limitless possibilities in strengthening student achievement

Eligibility and Agreements

• All Utah certified K-12 public school teachers employed by a school district or charter school in Utah are eligible to apply. 

 • It is the responsibility of the applicant to inform and gain permission from the school district / charter school administration    before applying. 

 • Teachers awarded the grant agree to provide to the USOE and Qwest a status report of the project’s progress or     completion by June 30, 2011.  

 • Teachers awarded a grant agree to attend the UCET Conference on February 26-27, 2010 and to participate in presentations during the UCET 2011 Conference.

 • Previous Qwest mini-grant recipients are NOT eligible for this program.

Technical Assistance

For assistance completing the application, please contact Rick Gaisford at the USOE at (801) 538-7798 or via e-mail at rick.gaisford@schools.utah.gov Additional grant writing resources and   information about the Qwest Teachers and Technology Mini-Grant program can be found at http://my.uen.org/39 (see Grants and Qwest Grant tabs).

Award Process

• This is a competitive grant application. Grant readers include representatives from the USOE, Qwest, government officials, and statewide community and business leaders. The grant-scoring guide is included with this application.

 • Grant funds up to the amount available are awarded by the grantor to the top scoring applications. The USOE and Qwest notifies the winning applicants of their status during January/February 2010.

 • All materials and services purchased with Qwest Foundation funds as a result of this award are the property of the school district/charter school.

 • Awardees will work with their local district/charter school to acquire materials and services and to submit the proper forms to USOE for reimbursements

Maximum Award        

$2,500 per grant