INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROPOSAL

Name of Applicant: LaToya Morgan

District/School: Fulton County Schools, Banneker High School

Date: July 20, 2018

Total Cost of Project: $3,000

Title of Project: Defined STEM: Problem Based Learning Professional Development

To what organization will you submit this grant application in the future?: The Governor's Office
of Student Achievement: TINY GRANT Program

I. Why is this project important (In 2-3 paragraphs, describe the need for the project and its
relevance to the shared vision for instructional technology)?

During my tenure at my school, there have been many attempts to implement great initiatives
and idea. Unfortunately, because of lack of funding or support, these ideas and initiatives
have not been well managed or have dissipated. In 2018, my school purchased a subscription
to the STEM/PBL platform, Defined STEM. This platform could positively impact students
in each class because it gives them an opportunity to explore standards-based case studies
that offer real world experience in problem solving. Defined STEM offers many different
features, and if maximized correctly, it could teach students the 21st century skills necessary
to be successful in their post-secondary pursuits.

Because of the massive offerings provided through Defined STEM, teachers may feel
overwhelmed and hesitant to use this resource if they are not given the proper support to
implement it in their classroom. This grant proposes to provide professional development on
the Defined STEM platform, serviced through Defined STEM. PBL activities are important
to implement in schools because they provide students with skills such as communication,
teamwork, problem solving, synthesizing information, and honing technology skills (“Why Is
Project-Based Learning Important?,” 2007). This platform provides these skills and could
positively affect students achievement.

The shared vision for instructional technology is “to prepare all students to actively compete
in the global economy by providing technology rich lessons that are hands-on, relevant,
rigorous, personalized, and engaging. Students will be prepared by engaging in technology-
integrated lessons that teach collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication
skills. All students will have access to digital resources to increase student achievement.”
Providing Defined STEM professional development directly ties to the shared vision because
it supports teachers in providing students with every tenet mentioned in the vision, through
the case studies offered through Defined STEM.

Page 1 of 6
II. What would you like to accomplish (In 2-3 paragraphs, describe the project and list instructional
objectives/project outcomes.)?

The purpose of this project is to provide a full day of professional development on the STEM
PBL based platform, Defined STEM. This platform has already been purchased for the
school, however, there is no aggressive plan in place to provide support for teachers. The full
day of professional development, hosted by Defined STEM, will help teachers get a full
understanding of all the offerings provided through Defined STEM and strategies of
implementing it in core classroom. There are case studies provided for the core content areas,
therefore, students will be able to apply STEM related concepts throughout the
comprehensive curriculum of math, science, english/language arts, and social studies. This
project will help accomplish the Student Focused goal of the Action and Evaluation Plan,
“During the 2018 – 2019 school year, 75% of teachers will integrate STEM based Problem
Based Lessons (PBL) using Defined STEM at least one time a month to increase higher order
thinking activities in the classrooms.” These lessons will help students increase higher order
thinking skills, technology skills, communication skills, problem solving and synthesizing
skills.

Project Outcomes:
- Teachers will participate in the Full Day Professional Development, hosted by Defined
STEM in August/September 2018.
- Teachers will receive on going support from Instructional Coaches throughout the school
year.
- At least 75% of teachers will provide a STEM based Problem Based Lesson (PBL)
through Defined STEM at least once a month. These lessons are standards-based.

III. In what ways is this project an example of exemplary technology integration (In 2-3 paragraphs
discuss your project regarding one or more of the following: LoTi, SAMR, TPACK, TIM, etc.)?

If evaluated through the TPACK model, this project would encourage teachers to provide
lessons in the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) realm. Using
Defined STEM PBL lessons provide students with 21st century skills, that are standards based
and technology rich. This platform provides lessons that are online and requires students to
complete standards-based activities that involve problem solving, communication,
information synthesis, team work, and creativity.

If evaluated through the LoTi Model, this project would score a LoTi level 4. This platform
provides real-world problem-solving experience, technology, information synthesis, and it is
student directed. Although students may publish their work on the Defined STEM platform,
only the teacher would be able to see it. If the work was published for other stakeholders to
access, the project would score a LoTi Level 5.

Page 2 of 6
IV. How will you complete the work? (Describe how the project will be completed.)

A. Describe how the instructional objectives/project outcomes will be met (2-3 paragraphs).
B. Describe the time involved (project length including amount of time each day/week).
Project Outcome Steps for completion Time Involved
Teachers will participate in The grant will pay for the One Day – August or early
the Full Day Professional Defined STEM team to come September
Development, hosted by to Banneker High School to
Defined STEM in provide a full day of
August/September 2018. Professional Development.
This workshop will equip
teachers with the tools to
implement the Defined
STEM PBL activities within
their lessons.
Teachers will receive on- Instructional Coaches will Twice a month
going support from provide support to their
Instructional Coaches respective departments on
throughout the school year. how to implement the
Defined STEM activities
within their lessons
At least 75% of teachers will Administrators or Once a month
provide a STEM based Instructional Coaches will
Problem Based Lesson (PBL) observe classes or view
through Defined STEM at lesson plans that indicate at
least once a month. These least 75% of teachers are
lessons are standards-based. implementing the Defined
STEM lessons at least once a
month.

C. Describe the people involved (grade level/subject & # of students, teachers and/or staff, other
stakeholders).

Grade Level: 9-12

Subject: All Core Subjects – ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
Number of Students: All students
Teachers: All Core Teachers

D. Describe the materials needed for the project.

Professional Development Package provided by Defined STEM

(https://www.definedstem.com/what-we-offer/ ) - $3000

Student Microsoft Tablets – Already supplied

Page 3 of 6
IV. What is the timeline for assessing accomplishments and objectives/project outcomes (In 1-2
paragraphs, describe program evaluation procedure.)?

August/Early September Defined STEM will come to Banneker High School to provide a full day
of professional development for all core teachers.

September – April Instructional Coaches will work with their respective departments to help
teachers implement the Defined STEM activities within their lessons. This
support will be provided at least twice a month. Teachers who require
additional support will meet with Instructional Coaches more frequently.

September – April Instructional Coaches will view lesson plans to gauge whether teachers are
implementing the Defined STEM activities within their lessons at least
once a month. During administrative observations, data will be collected
indicating whether teachers are implementing the Defined STEM activities
within their lessons. Data will be analyzed to determine if at least 75% of
teachers are implementing these activities in their lessons.

V. How will the students be impacted by the project (In 2-3 paragraphs, include details
regarding how the impact on students will be assessed and reported to students, parents,
teachers, and others.)?

Defined STEM provides teachers with lessons and other resources that are STEM-based PBL
activities. These activities include literacy tasks, performance tasks, research resources, and
engaging videos. These tasks require students to apply knowledge learned and problem solve
surrounding a STEM based company or industry (Defined STEM, n.d.). This project will greatly
impact the students because they will have research-based activities to help them hone their 21st
century skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, technology skills, and real-world
application.

This platform could offer students a snapshot to their future. 99% of the students at my school
are eligible for free/reduced lunch. It is crucial that they gain the exposure that Defined STEM
provides to help them compete in the global economy after they graduate high school. It is often
said that we are preparing students for job not yet created. This platform will help my school
prepare students to successfully compete for these unknown jobs.

VI. What is the proposed budget? Include information on the following:

A. Materials/supplies - $3000 – Professional Development Package
(https://www.definedstem.com/what-we-offer/ )
B. Total Cost of Proposed Project - $3000

V. List your supporting references.

Page 4 of 6
Defined STEM. (n.d.). Defined STEM. Retrieved July, 2018, from https://www.definedstem.com/

Defined STEM. (n.d.). Learn More. Retrieved July, 2018, from https://www.definedstem.com/what-we-
offer/

The Governor's Office of Student Achievement. (n.d.). Tiny Grant Program. Retrieved July, 2018, from
https://gosa.georgia.gov/tiny-grant-program

Why Is Project-Based Learning Important? (2007, October 19). Retrieved July, 2018, from
https://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-guide-importance

Page 5 of 6
 INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROPOSAL
EVALUATION FORM/SCORING RUBRIC

Total Points (out of 200): __________

1. Impacts a variety of skill levels and/or learning styles or impacts an important target population.

Possible number of points: 40 __________

2. Clearly identifies standards and learning objectives/project outcomes being addressed.

Possible number of points: 40 __________

3. Pedagogically sound, based on research and/or best practices.

Possible number of points: 40 __________

4. Clear plan for assessment of project and goals with examples of implementation methods.

Possible number of points: 40 __________

5. Impacts large number of students and/or can be recycled/reused.

Possible number of points: 40 __________

General Comments:

Adapted from: The Education Foundation of Oconee County, Inc.

Page 6 of 6