Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources STEM Learning Exchange

AgriScience SAE Start-up Mini-Grant

Illinois Pathways, funded through Race to the Top, is a new and innovative State of Illinois-led STEM education initiative designed to support college and career readiness for all students. Through a partnership between the State of Illinois’ education and economic development agencies, Illinois Pathways supports local programs that empower students to explore their academic and career interests. New statewide, public-private partnerships known as Learning Exchanges were developed to better coordinate investments, resources and planning for those programs. The Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) STEM Learning Exchange is funded through a grant from Illinois State Board of Education. Several agricultural education initiatives were identified by Illinois TEAM Ag Ed to be addressed with these funds including the AFNR STEM Learning Exchange Agriscience SAE Start-up Mini-Grant.

Purpose of the AgriScience SAE Start-up Mini-Grant

The AFNR STEM Learning Exchange AgriScience SAE Mini-Grant is an exciting opportunity for students interested in scientific principles and emerging technologies in the agricultural industry to establish a quality supervised agricultural experience program. The AgriScience SAE Mini-Grant provides middle and high school students with funds to establish a SAE and potentially achieve local, state and national recognition for their accomplishments.

Eligibility for the Scholarship:

•  The AgriScience SAE Start-up Grant is for middle and high school students who are enrolled in an agricultural education program and are FFA members in the current school year.

•  Chapters may submit grant applications from more than one student.

•  Grants must be received on or before January 31, 2013

•  Applications must be sent to: Illinois Association FFA, 3221 Northfield Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62702

•  If selected as a grant recipient, a check will be sent made payable to the school. However, all items purchased are to be the property of the student applicant.

•  If selected as a grant recipient, a final report of expenditures with invoices and/or receipts is due by May 1st. Failure to submit a final expenditure report by May 1st will result in the forfeiture of funds

What is the AgriScience SAE Start-up Grant?

The grants will be awarded to those students whose research proposals fall within the agriculture categories.

Animal Systems - The study of animal systems, including life processes, health, nutrition, genetics, management and processing, through the study of small animals, aquaculture, livestock, dairy, horses and/or poultry.

Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems - The study of systems, instruments and technology used in waste management; the study of the management of soil, water, wildlife, forests and air as natural resources and their influence on the environment.

Food Products and Processing Systems - The study of product development, quality assurance, food safety, production, sales and service, regulation and compliance and food service within the food science industry.

Plant Systems - The study of plant life cycles, classifications, functions, structures, reproduction, media and nutrients, as well as growth and cultural practices, through the study of crops, turf grass, trees and shrubs and/or ornamental plants.

Power, Structural and Technical Systems - The study of agricultural equipment, power systems, alternative fuel sources and precision technology, as well as woodworking, metalworking, welding and project planning for agricultural structures.

Social Systems - The study of human behavior and the interaction of individuals in and to society, including agricultural education, agribusiness economic, agricultural communication, agricultural leadership and other social science applications in agriculture, food and natural resources.

Helpful Hints in Planning

As you write your agriscience research proposal consider the following:

•  Focus on an important agricultural/scientific issue, question or principle.

•  Set specific research objectives.

•  Identify the steps you will follow in conducting the research.

•  Follow a scientific process to collect and analyze data.

•  Commit to completing the research in a timely manner.

• Use your agriculture teacher for supervision and advice.

AFNR STEM Learning Exchange

AgriScience SAE Grant

Grant applications must be received by January 31, 2013

Grant recipients will be determined on or before February 15, 2013

Grants should be sent to: Illinois Association FFA, 3221 Northfield Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62702

Student Name:

School Name:

School Address:

City: State: Illinois Zip:

FFA Chapter Name:

Grade in School:

What area of agriculture do you want to research?

Is this an extension from a previous year? (circle one) Yes OR NO

Where will you conduct your research? (circle one) Home School Area Business

Check ALL items (if any) that apply to your research:

Humans

Non-human Vertebrate Animals

Recombinant DNA

Pathogens

Controlled Substances

Human/Animal Tissue

Tentative title of proposed research project:

Objectives: (State the results you plan to accomplish with the proposed research.)

In the space provided explain why this research interests you.

How will the money you are requesting be spent?

RESEARCH PROJECT EXPENSES
Item
(Please be as specific as possible) / Amount Funded By Grant / Amount Funded By Other Sources / Total Cost
Grant amount being requested / Grants request should not exceed $200

If the full grant request cannot be met, what is the minimum amount that you would need to accomplish the research? Insert amount

Certifications

1)  If selected as a grant recipient, the student agrees to complete the research identified in this proposal to the best of their ability.

2)  If selected as a grant recipient, the student will record their SAE research in an AgriScience Record Book for use in future awards, competitions and scholarships.

3)  If selected as a grant recipient, we agree to monitor the research activities to ensure all research is completed in a safe and ethical manner.

4)  If selected as a grant recipient, we agree to submit a final report of expenditures with invoices and/or receipts prior to May 1st, 2013.

5)  We understand that the failure to submit a final expenditure report by May 1st, 2013 will result in the forfeiture of funds.

______

Signature of Student Applicant Date Signature of Parent or Guardian Date

______

Signature of FFA Chapter Advisor Date Signature of Principal Date

Return application to: Illinois Association FFA, 3221 Northfield Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62702