Learning Links Grant

Learning Links projects must:

• Involve students in projects of a "hands-on" nature. It is desirable that these experiential learning activities take place in settings beyond the classroom or in a learning environment that is unlike their normal daily classroom instruction.
• Implement innovative, imaginative, and creative approaches to teaching that enrich the educational experience.
• Be aligned with the classroom's current curriculum.
• Directly relate to the academic improvement of students.

Strong applications include:

• Clearly defined and realistic project plans and activities. Do not use educational or technical jargon. Be as specific as possible about how the funds will be used.
• Specifics regarding how the project will be implemented, necessary materials, time frame, people involved, and completion date.
• A detailed budget that is reasonable and logically tied to the project description.

Successful projects in the past have:

• Involved parents and/or community volunteers
• Been led by a dedicated teacher or team of teachers
• Integrated curricula or involved various age groups
• Served a single classroom, grade level, or entire school. A group project is a team project that will serve the same group of students in a classroom, set of classrooms, or school-wide activity or club.

All field trips must include before-trip preparation and after-trip use of the information. They should also include all students the project is intended for (an individual classroom, a grade level, or school-wide activity or club).

Grants may be made to compensate experts who come to work with students but may not pay teachers or staff. These experts must submit resumes or credentials to justify the requested expense.