2021 STEM Grants

• Afterschool and out-of-school programs serving 6 to 18 year olds are eligible to apply
• Proposed projects must be conducted outside the formal school day
• Special consideration will be given to programs that sign the Make It Count Pledge demonstrating their commitment to using the Arizona Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs and to programs that have submitted an assessment using the AzQSAT to strengthen the quality of their program.
• Past recipients are eligible to receive STEM Grants again in alternate years.

An independent panel of three judges will individually evaluate and score the 2021 AzCASE STEM Grant applications. The cumulative scores will determine our grant winners. We have up to $15,000 in grants to distribute.

Grants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Quality of the STEM project concept
• Alignment with out-of-school time best practices
• Demographic reach of the project
• Promotion of equity
• Clear budget that aligns with the project described
• An additional point will be awarded to programs that have signed the Make It Count Pledge.
• An additional 2 points will be awarded to programs that have submitted an assessment using the AzQSAT.

Effective applications will include:

• Detailed description of how the STEM project funding will be used.
• Clear outline of the educational benefits/youth outcomes of the STEM project.
• Demonstration of a carefully crafted plan that incorporates creative and innovative use of age-appropriate technology and/or STEM concepts.
• Detailed budget that aligns with the project description.
• A fully completed application, submitted by the deadline, April 15, 2021. Want to review the questions prior to submitting your online application? Review the STEM Grant Application Questions here

Remember, you want your application to stand out! Go above and beyond with details about the project’s content and its impact on youth served. 

Grant recipients are required to:

• Submit purchase order or receipt as proof of purchase of materials, supplies, technology and/or software purchased. No indirect costs are allowed.
• Submit a one page narrative describing the outcome of the project no later than October 31, 2021.
• Give AzCASE permission to feature grant recipients’ programs on the AzCASE website, newsletter, and social media.
• Send AzCASE photos of children engaged in the project funded.
• Credit Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence and Cox Communications as being the funders of the STEM project funded. 

• Build a school or community garden to demonstrate how to grow local, healthy food
• Measure and test the power of wind as an alternative to fossil fuel system
• Construct and launch rockets
• Design and build race cars to test theories of air flow and aerodynamic design
• Promote recycling and reduce litter to minimize impacts on land fills and reduce consumption of precious natural resources
• Test local water or air samples and propose solutions to reduce air and water pollution so that we can live in healthier environments
• Learn how to write computer code
• Develop an exercise and nutrition program to reduce childhood obesity and improve overall dietary choices
• Write and produce a Public Service Announcement to reduce bullying and discrimination so that we can create a more equitable society

Anything’s possible. Programs are only limited by their collective imaginations.

There are countless other creative ways to engage youth in STEM related concepts and projects:

• Programs serving elementary ages can add a “science center” to their normal activity rotation or develop a summer theme focused on science and/or technology. This is a great age for letting children answer the questions they all have about “how and why” things work the way they do.
• Junior high and high school programs can start a weekly science club focused on science and technology. Capture their imaginations by letting them build a rocket, design a bridge, or solve an “environmental” problem in their home, school, or community.

Review the 2019 STEM Grant Recipient Projects here