Mini-Grant Opportunities for STEM initiatives

West Virginia Space Grant Consortium is pleased to announce the availability of mini-grant funds to support STEM projects.

The Objectives are as follows:

*Develop workshops or activities to Inspire K-12 students’ interest in STEM and encourage them to choose STEM as their college major and career path.

* Provide support to students currently enrolled in STEM programs at West Virginia universities and colleges to participate in a STEM activity, present at a meeting (e.g., Undergrad Research Day at the Capitol), help with events such as NASA-SPACE Day, etc.

* Build a pipeline relationship with industry, university, college, and K-12 schools in West Virginia to empower and support those in the STEM disciplines.

Priority will be given to programs that are directly aligned with a NASA mission (https://www.nasa.gov/missions) and/or serve primarily women and girls.

Application Process:

You will submit your application through a Google document. The application consists of your name and email contact information, a description of the what the project is for that explains the specific objectives of the activity for which funds are requested and includes a timeline for completion of the work, and how a mini grant would further the organization’s or individual’s work. All Mini-Grants are for a maximum of $500. Please provide an itemized budget for up to this amount. The grant maximum is a per project maximum; thus, several individuals cannot combine their grants to form a larger grant. We cannot fund capital expenditures for student clubs and all applicants must be US citizens or Nationals. Project costs for travel and events are done by reimbursement with receipts.

In the online application you will be asked for your educational background, current employer (if any), and your role in overseeing or carrying out the project. The committee will review each application to determine if the project is aligned with the mission statement and if the proposal plan is sound and addresses the required elements above.

The application deadline is February 6, 2023.

Please email questions to Kisstaman Epps at kdepps@mail.wvu.edu.

The application site is now closed. Please check back again in the fall.

First 2 Network is offering a virtual, summer STEM Camp!

This camp is for rising college freshmen in STEM majors.

It will be completely virtual for 5 weeks, meeting once a week for 2 hours, to work with students on math, chemistry, and study skills. In addition, it will connect these students with faculty from WVU, Fairmont State, and Glenville State, as well as fellow students from across the state. The flyer is attached below with a link to apply.

RFPs for FY 2022-2023 are now available!

The request for proposals (RFPs) for the NASA WV EPSCoR and NASA WV Space Grant Consortium for the fiscal year 2022-2023 are now available.

The RFPs can be found here: Program Application Forms

Deadlines:

Student Fellowships

Proposal due date for student fellowship: Friday, March 18, 2022 by 11:59 PM (EST). Mentor Endorsement due date for student fellowships: Monday, March 21, 2022 by 11:59 PM (EST)

Non-Student Proposals (EPSCoR Seed, Research, College Course Development, K-12, Informal Ed)

The due date for all non-student proposals is Monday, March 21, 2022 by 11:59 PM (EST), and the anticipated start date for all successful projects is Early-May 2022.

Reinvent the Rover Wheel Challenge

Audience: Educators, Parents and Students in Grades K-12
Deadline: July 26

This summer, the Perseverance rover will launch on a trip to explore Mars. Perseverance has six aluminum wheels with S-shaped treads called grousers that will help the rover drive across the sandy, rocky and hilly Martian terrain. To develop this wheel design, NASA engineers had to brainstorm ideas, create 3D designs and test different wheel prototypes.

What could wheels for future Mars rovers look like? We want innovative ideas from K-12 students! Use your creativity to design a rover wheel best equipped for the Red Planet’s terrain. Create a digital 3D model of your reinvented wheel, and write a short description of your design. While digital 3D models are encouraged, young inventors in grades K-5 can opt to provide an image of a sketch or mock-up instead of a 3D model. Out-of-this world entries will be featured with a NASA gold star in the challenge gallery.

For more information Click Here