United Way of Greater Atlanta is pleased to announce the 2023 STEM Up: Youth Maker Competition to award small grants to help middle and high school aged youth who are involved in STEM programming test innovative ideas that can solve problems in their communities.
Donor Name: United Way of Greater Atlanta
State: Georgia
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Competition
Deadline: 02/22/2023
Size of the Grant: $2,500
Details:
This live competition modeled after the television show “Shark Tank” is an opportunity for young people in their region to use their ideas, voice, and leadership to improve their communities.
The competition is open to middle and high school-aged students who are involved in STEM programming in the United Way of Greater Atlanta 13-county footprint.
They believe that young people’s leadership and voice are critical to addressing social and economic issues facing their communities. It is their goal to ensure both the process and the results of the STEM Up Competition will showcase young people’s ingenuity and resourcefulness.
- Applicants must have a Staff Champion from their school or non-profit agency that will be a primary point of contact for United Way. That staff person must be an employee of the agency who is positioned to approve and support implementation of the proposed idea.
- Prizes must be distributed through the agency that the students are affiliated with such as schools and non-profit organizations. Staff Champions will release/use funds as needed.
- Applicants must be current middle or high school aged students within United Way’s 13-county area (Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale Counties).
- All applicants will be contacted with their application status on March 1, 2023.
- Presentations must be prepared by those that move on to the live pitch on March 16, 2023 at 6pm or required pitch presentation components and scoring scale. Live pitch finalists must also have a parent/guardian complete a consent form.
- They anticipate up to three winners depending on available funds and proposed project budgets.
- Winners will be expected to implement their ideas between March and June 2023 with the help of assigned volunteer coaches. There will be three monthly coaching sessions facilitated by United Way, both virtual and in- person.
- Winners will report out on the results of their project at the STEM Up Innovation Celebration on June 2, 2023.
- If student applicants are in need of resources that would allow them to participate fully in the STEM Up program, such as transportation, professional clothing, computer access, etc., they may include in their written proposal a request for scholarship funding.
An area of priority for United Way includes improving engagement in STEM by underrepresented groups, social innovation, and partnerships with STEM-related businesses and STEM Up proposals should address equity, diversity, and inclusion. It is important to remember that proposed projects must be youth-led, STEM-related and have a way to measure impact. Proposals should address a community/social problem, remove barriers, or increase efficiencies. The following are examples of community issues that could be addressed:
- The Digital Divide
- COVID-19 Public Health Crisis
- Academic Support for Youth (Learning Loss)
- Employment Rate
- College Planning and Preparation
Funding Information
The STEM Up Prize is a monetary award up to $2,500.00 to support students in the implementation of their innovative ideas.
For more information, visit United Way of Greater Atlanta.
