The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is offering up to $2000 to public libraries in Wisconsin and Michigan for the development of circulating math and science collections for K-12 students.

Because not all children have access to a high-quality science education, the Science Kits for Public Libraries Grant project raises money to provide grants to public libraries to purchase science kit collections that can be borrowed by anyone in the community, just like a book.

Grant amount: $2000
Deadline: November 15, 2017

• Guidelines
• Application Form
• Budget Form

Excerpts from the Guidelines:

• Grant funds will be used to purchase science kits and support materials, and develop/promote science programs for K-12 students.
• Libraries awarded funding will:
  • Create or purchase science kits, each of which consists of equipment, instructions for prepared experiments, and workbooks.
  • Include the science kits in their circulating collection.
  • Add materials to the circulating collection which support the topics featured in the kits.
  • Develop programming for K-12 students which promotes the study of science and the use of the science kits.
  • Plan for continuation of the project after grant funding is concluded.
  • Plan for other public libraries to replicate the results and for teaching best practices to others.
  • Identify a certified librarian who will lead the development and implementation of the collection.
• Participating libraries must be willing to cooperate with IEEE on publicity and promotion.
• Participating libraries must be willing to label the science kits stating that funding is provided by the IEEE - Chicago Section.  
• Community need and creativity of the proposal are given high priority by the reviewers.

Past grants have allowed Midwestern libraries to develop science kit circulating collections and to give students access to prepared experiments & science materials that they might not encounter in the traditional classroom.

The IEEE Science Kits for Public Libraries Grant is made possible by the generosity of the members of IEEE- Region 4.

Photo credit: National Science Foundation via Flickr, usage license: U.S. Government Work