Mini-Grant

Get ‘Em Outside Mini-Grant Program langlieb.fathersonsnowshoes

Celebrating environmental education, the purpose of the “Get Em Outside Mini-Grant” program is to support educators in their efforts to take students outside for learning opportunities. The mini-grant applicants should highlight their use of funds and how those funds will enhance students’ connection with a sense of place and hands-on learning experiences. With this funding, MEEA would like to be able to provide valuable resources otherwise not available to both formal classroom and nonformal educators across Montana, fostering excellence in environmental education. This mini-grant program began in memory of Emerson Juliette Graham and aims to inspire youth to learn about and care for the natural world. If not all funds are used, they will roll over to the following grant cycle. Typically the call for proposals are sent out at the end of the year and awards are made during the first few months of the year. Grants of up to $500 are available annually.

2017-2018 Grant Cycle has closed. 

 

-Who is eligible for the grants?

Montana schools, homeschools, nonprofit organizations and tax exempt government agencies are eligible to apply.  Educators are encouraged to apply, either individually or with a team.  MEEA membership is not required to apply, but we request that those selected for a grant become members.

Our 2016-2017 Winners!

  • Montana Natural History Center
  • Seeley Swan High School
  • Clark Fork Watershed Education Network
  • Blackfoot Challenge

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to the 2015-2016 Winners!

  • Helena Homeschool Enrichment Co-op:  Life Science Seminar.

Nature journaling and field guide creation of common birds at Spring Meadow Lake State Park.Students will learn about local birds through a 12 week seminar, which will include field trips and presentations. Additional grant money will be used to purchase nature journals for each student, which students will use both in the classroom and during homework assignments. These journals will help students learn observation and drawing techniques. The culminating project will be the publication of a field guide, which will be distributed at MT Wild and at Spring Meadow Lake State Park.

  • Linderman Elementary. Big Creek Discovery School with The Glacier Institute

25 low income, fourth grade students will visit the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center for two days/one night, where they will experientially study the elements that make the Glacier ecosystem unique. Through these experiences, students will explore the interconnectedness of humans and nature, with the ultimate goal being to build a foundation of stewardship. This is a rare opportunity for students of the Flathead Reservation to become immersed in the ecology of the world around them.

  • Gallatin Valley Farm to School. Seed to Snack Garden Explorer Camp

These week long camps allow students to garden their way through the summer, planting seeds, harvesting produce, hunting bugs and worms, and creating garden artwork. Students also use a mobile cooking cart to prepare daily snacks with fresh produce from the garden. Each camp includes fun and informative presentations, as well as a 1/2 day field trip to a local farm. Not only an engaging summer educational experience, the camps also increase the use and visibility of the school gardens throughout the school year and provide needed garden maintenance during the summer.

  • Ronan School. Montana Natural History Center Visiting Naturalist in the Schools Program

50 fourth grade students will participate in the MT Natural History Center’s Visiting Naturalist in the Schools Program. During this program, an expert naturalist will visit the classroom each month throughout the school year and experientially teach students the magic of being a naturalist. Not only will students build a mentor relationship with the naturalist, but this naturalist will also ignite their sense of wonder and curiosity.

  • Montana Outdoor Science School. Snow School

This spring, MOSS Winter and Beyond camps will experientially teach students the physical geography of the Gallatin Valley and will explore the reasons why water and snow are important.During two spring break camps, students will use snowshoes as transportation to learn about the science of snow, ice, and water. During the planned overnight, students will be challenged to learn how to use an avalanche beacon, analyze the snowpack, build shelters, and will learn survival skills and animal winter adaptations. These fun-filled and exciting camps will develop students’ sense of place for the Gallatin Valley and Montana.

MEEA Mini-grant application (Google Drive) or  2018 MEEA Get ‘Em Outside Mini Grant Application

Got questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions and, if you still need help, don’t hesitate to email the program chair, Rose, at rvallor@gmail.com

For more information about our grant selection process, see our Mini Grant Scoring Rubric, 2018 and our MEEA Mini Grant Report Form.