| What is the purpose of
the awards program?
The Closing the Technology Gap in Education Awards are awarded to teachers
to recognize their creative approaches to technological education. They
are intended to inspire teachers as they encourage students to excel
in science, technology, engineering and math.
Is this a grant program?
No, this is not a grant program. The Closing the Technology Gap in Education
Awards are meant to reward teachers for innovative, creative lessons
and units they have taught or are currently teaching. These lessons,
projects and units would encourage more students to pursue careers in
science, technology, engineering and math.
How is it different than a grant?
To enter the awards program, teachers need to explain what best practices
they are currently using in their classrooms to promote student interest
and involvement in science, technology, engineering and math. Budgets
and plans for the future are not part of the application.
Who is eligible?
Any Michigan public school educators, or collaborative team of educators—from
elementary, middle or high schools—who focus on science, technology,
engineering and/or math.
What should I include with my entry?
Each entry must include a completed application, either electronically
or in hard copy as well as a letter of recommendation from your principal
or another school administrator. Entries may also include supporting
materials that help illustrate the project described in the application.
What is the deadline for entries?
All entries must be postmarked no later than Feb. 22, 2008. Teachers
will receive confirmation upon receipt of their application and materials.
Where do I send my application?
2007 Closing the Technology Gap
in Education Awards
c/o Detroit Science Center
5020 John R Street
Detroit, MI 48202
Can I apply more than once?
A teacher or teaching team may submit only one application per school
year. However, teachers or teams may submit an entry every school year
if desired. |
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Is this like a “Teacher
of the Year” award?
While the Closing the Technology Gap in Education Awards are not meant
to be “Teacher of the Year” awards, they do honor teachers’
efforts. These awards are about building up successful, innovative programs
in schools that broaden our children’s education in technology-driven
areas and show how science, technology, engineering and math are relevant
in the real world.
What kinds of support materials can I present with
my application?
Teachers may include charts, maps, graphs, posters, photos, testimonials
or anything that helps clarify your approach and results. This supporting
documentation could be on VHS, DVD, CD, in PowerPoint, Flash, Word,
etc. (i.e., common platforms). Movie clips and PowerPoint presentations
cannot total more than 5 minutes in length. Additionally, identify the
media and the platform being used (e.g., Mac or PC) with your entry
materials.
Are the support materials required?
Teachers may choose to send materials to better illustrate what they
are describing in their Project Summary. Support materials do not count
against the 3,000-word Project Summary maximum.
How do you determine winners?
A panel of judges evaluates each entry against the six-point Project
Summary that is outlined in the application. We are unable to disclose
individual judging results or to provide feedback as to how the panel
arrived at its decisions.
Who receives the prize money?
The award money goes to your school to advance science, technology,
engineering and/or math education programs currently in place or those
that you would like to create. First-place winners are also awarded
Science Center field trips for their class. Additionally, all of those
honored will receive family memberships to the Detroit Science Center.
How do I get more information?
For more information, contact Julie Johnson at (313) 577-8400 x439,
or via e-mail at jjohnson@sciencedetroit.org.
To download an application, click
here.
To download a PDF of application
for reference, click here.
Who sponsors the awards program?
The Chrysler
Foundation in partnership with the
Detroit Science Center sponsor and administer the awards program.
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