Austin Public Schools in running for large grant
Published 9:45 am Thursday, July 9, 2015
Education is always growing, and the Austin Public Schools District hopes to continue that growth by winning a grant to enhance curriculum in the district.
Austin Public Schools District is a finalist in this year’s America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Austin is among the top districts in Minnesota in the running for grants of $10,000 and $25,000.
Earlier this year, farmers nominated their local public school districts to apply for Grow Rural Education grants. Once nominated, school districts were eligible to complete applications requesting funding for a specific math or science project that will enhance curriculum in their district. A panel of math and science educators evaluated all of the applications and selected the strongest submissions as finalists.
“Making it to this stage of the process is a great accomplishment that requires a lot time and effort,” Michelle Insco, Monsanto Fund program officer, said in a press release. “There is still more to do before we announce our winning school districts, but this year’s finalists submitted impressive applications. The Monsanto Fund is grateful for their focus on improving math and science opportunities for their students.”
Next, finalist applications will be reviewed by the Grow Rural Education Farmer Advisory Council. The Advisory Council, made up of farmers from across the U.S., will select this year’s winners, who will be announced in early August.
Last year, Grow Rural Education awarded $135,000 in public school districts across Minnesota to improve math and science curriculum. Since 2011, Minnesota school districts have received $465,000 through the program.
Projects funded over the last four years have helped school districts across the U.S. upgrade technology and scientific lab equipment, build greenhouses and outdoor classroom learning environments, update teacher and curriculum development and other math and science related initiatives.
For a complete list of the 2015 America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education finalists and past grant winners, please visit www.AmericasFarmers.com.