Montana Middle Schools Encouraged to Apply for ‘Service Project’ Grant Funds

The Governor’s Office of Community Service (http://serve.mt.gov) announced today that the deadline has been extended for Montana Middle Schools to apply for $5,000 dollars in federal grant funds/per school for service learning projects that include: environmental issues, student and community health, and natural and manmade disaster preparedness.

The national program is called ‘STEMester of Service’ and it targets middle schools with disadvantaged youth. The program is aimed at engaging educators and students in addressing critical environmental needs and connecting them to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curricula.

"It’s important to spark an interest in math and science when students are young. They are the problem solvers and leaders of our future," said First Lady Nancy Schweitzer.

"STEMester is a great way to connect students to their community while learning at the same time," said Jan Lombardi, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Service.

‘STEMester of Service’ is funded by Learn and Serve America, (http://www.learnandserve.gov) a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, an independent federal agency.

25 new programs, nationwide, will be awarded funding this year, and more than one school per state can be awarded.

Applications are due Friday, August 20, 2010. Grants will be announced in late August.

To apply, please take the eligibility quiz at http://www.cybergrants.com/ysa/stem/quiz

For more information, please visit: http://ysa.org/grants/stem

Successful applicants will be required to participate in a training at Youth Serve America’s ‘Youth Service Institute’, October 13-15, 2010 in Detroit, MI. (a percentage of the grant covers travel and lodging at YSI).

To learn more about ‘STEMester of Service’ and projects from 2009-2010 grantees, visit:

http://ysa.org/grants/programs/stemester-of-service

The Governor and First Lady’s Math and Science Initiative (www.mathscience.mt.gov) invites Montana’s youth to discover the many opportunities to learn about math and science in K-12 schools and higher education, find out about career opportunities and explore Montana’s splendid surroundings.

The Governor’s Office of Community Serve (http://serve.mt.gov ) was created in 1993 to encourage national service and volunteerism in Montana.