Mini-Grant Awards (page 1 of 3)

2011 Mini-Grants

The Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative invites applications for mini-grants in collaboration with the Kentucky National Science Foundation (NSF) Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Kentucky Space Grant Consortium (NASA KY). Applications will be accepted during the month of February. View a description of the mini-grant program requirements and the application schedule.

Although applications in any STEM area will be considered, priority will be given to mini-grants that align with the research areas supported by KY NSF EPSCoR and NASA KY.

The KY NSF EPSCoR areas of emphasis, with definitions, include:

• Materials Science - the study of organic and inorganic materials and their properties under changing conditions.
  
• Bioengineering - manufacturing novel devices used within/by biological organisms.
  
• Nano/Micro Technology - materials and devices at the micro/atomic level.
  
• Ecological Genomics - the identification of genetic mechanisms underlying adaptive responses of organisms to their environment.

The NASA KY areas of emphasis, with definitions, include:

• Aviation - how different types of aircraft fly in earth's atmosphere and on other planets.
  
• Astronomy - studying the universe using Earth based light and radio telescopes or space based telescopes.
  
• Space Exploration - sending robots and sensors to gather data about the solar system and beyond.
  
• Microgravity - developing life support systems for astronauts living on the International Space Station or traveling to Mars.

Download a flyer about Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative 2011 Mini-Grants.

 

2010

• Brownie WOW Camp Unit
  Collaborating Organizations: Girl Scouts Kentucky’s Wilderness Road Council and Kentucky American Water
  Girls Served: Grades 2 - 6
  
  Water in ponds, creeks, and lakes sparks the curiosity of young girls. As girls begin to understand the science of water, they will also make a personal commitment to protect it. Girls will see that science and math are a part of daily life. A gap develops between girls interest in science and their confidence to pursue higher education in the science fields. At this event, girls will learn about aquatic life by observing aquatic invertebrates as they hatch and mature. Girls will test two ponds for aeration and pollution and also collect microscopic water life. Girls will hike through the Daniel Boone National Forest to Open Fork Creek and do water testing and collect aquatic life. The KAWC scientists will help girls understand the results of the water tests and also to identify the aquatic life. Girls will be traveling to a Fish Hatchery to observe the fish life cycle from egg to hatchling to juvenile to adult. Girls will also produce signs to remind camper to conserve water.
• Girls and Careers 2010
  Collaborating Organizations: Breathitt High School Youth Service Center and Breathitt County Cooperative Extension, Breathitt County High School
  Girls Served: Grades 7 - 12
  
  The Girls and Careers 2010 project will introduce 40 girls, grades 7 - 12, to careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math through a 5 day summer camp. The summer camp will include hands on activities with educational kits with a STEM focus and scientific experiments and labs.
• Mechatronics Mini Camp
  Collaborating Organizations: Girls Inc. of Owensboro-Daviess County and Owensboro Community and Technical College
  Girls Served: Grades 4 - 10
  
  An indepth Mechatronics Mini Camp designed to reach 20 girls between the ages of 8 and 14.
• So You Want to be an Engineer?
  Collaborating Organizations: Dorton Elementary Girls in Science and Research and University of Kentucky
  Girls Served: Grades 7 - 8
  
  Twenty 7th and 8th grade girls from Dorton Elementary, a rural school in Pike County will travel to the University of KY College of Engineering to participate in a hands-on lesson taught by a female engineer on circuit-building. The girls will also attend a field trip to tour the American Electric Power Company. The tour will be lead by a professional female. Female engineers will be invited to Dorton Elementary to discuss their career and how to prepare for their career with our junior high girls.
• Wolf Run Water Watch STARS
  Collaborating Organizations: Bluegrass Community and Technical College, STARS C/O Migrant Network Coaltion, Friends of Wolf Run Inc., and Kentucky American Water
  Girls Served: Grades 6 - 12
  
  Involving neighborhood female youth in monitoring water quality in neighborhood streams. The targeted streams have been identified as polluted by the state water resources agency. The girls will be involved in collecting data, evaluating their findings, developing solutions, and reporting their findings to community leadership. Selected women scientists from the community will help lead the girls on their field expeditions and guide them in their explorations. The participating scientists will be coached to provide information about their career choices and how they see science as a tool for having a positive impact on their community.