The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) seeks to further advance and expand life sciences education at Massachusetts public high schools and middle schools through implementation of project and inquiry-based curriculum.
Donor Name: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
State: Massachusetts
City: Selected Cities
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/29/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Through this program, the MLSC awards grant funding to schools and curriculum providers for the purpose of teacher professional development and the purchase of equipment, materials, supplies, and technology needed to support new or expanded curriculum. Funding will enable schools to educate students in real-world scenarios that will prepare them for career opportunities in the life sciences. Funding for teacher professional development will ensure that educators receive the technical training needed to effectively use newly acquired equipment and technology.
Investments made through this program seek to:
- Expand student access to life sciences equipment and project-based curriculum.
- Provide relevant professional development for teachers.
- Increase educational equity and help close the achievement and opportunity gaps.
- Train a diverse workforce pipeline.
- Support the implementation of Massachusetts Science, Technology, and Engineering Standards.
- Increase student achievement and interest in STEM.
- Increase awareness of life sciences careers.
- Improve college & career readiness.
- Leverage partnerships.
Applicants can request grant funding as follows:
- High school (new program or reconfiguring lab space): $85,000 – $15,000
- High school (upgrades to existing program: $65,000- $15,000
- Middle school: $30,000- $10,000
- Elementary school (grades 3-5): $15,000 – $10,000
Project Period
Through this solicitation, grants are to be awarded for Fiscal Year 2025. All equipment, materials, supplies, and/or technology must be shipped to grant recipients between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
Eligibility & Evaluation
Applicants must be at least one of the following:
- Vocational technical high school as determined by Chapter 74 of the General Laws of Massachusetts or a comprehensive public high school with a life sciences Chapter 74 program.
- Public schools (including charter schools) located in one of the following “Gateway Cities” as determined by Section 3A of Chapter 23A of the General Laws of Massachusetts: Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Peabody, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, and Westfield, and Worcester.
- Public schools with a student population of at least 25 percent classified as “low income” by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
- Non-profit curriculum provider, with a presence in Massachusetts, delivering STEM curriculum and/or teacher professional development to schools that meet any of the above-stated criteria. Any equipment requested on behalf of partner schools must be delivered to and remain housed at the schools.
For more information, visit MLSC.
