Science Initiative for Middle Schools (SIMS)

Science teachers in grades 5-8 at public schools in 40 Arkansas counties are eligible to apply. (See “Where We’re Currently Making Grants.”)

Grants are available to teachers in counties served by ARCF’s central office in Pulaski County and our 27 local offices [link to local office section] across the state:

Ashley Baxter Calhoun Carroll Chicot Clark Cleburne Columbia Conway Craighead

Cross Desha Faulkner Fulton Garland Green Hempstead Howard Izard Jackson

Jefferson Johnson Lee Lincoln Little River Marion Miller Mississippi Monroe Montgomery

Ouachita Phillips Pope Pulaski Sebastian Sevier Sharp St. Francis Washington White

Your proposal should list the materials you need to implement a hands-on learning project in your classroom and should explain how the project will meet the state science curriculum frameworks.

We will fund up to $500 worth of science materials.

Through a partnership with DonorsChoose.org, we’ve established a streamlined online application process. Go to www.DonorsChoose.org/SIMS to complete an online application and select the science materials you need for your project. If your project is selected, DonorsChoose will ship your materials directly to you at your school. It's that simple!

The goal of this grant program is to provide teachers with the materials they need for hands-on instruction. Our partner, DonorsChoose.org, contracts with a variety of classroom suppliers to allow you to shop for the materials you need when you submit your online applicaiton.  If your project is selected to receive funding, DonorsChoose purchases the supplies you requested and ships them straight to you at your school.

If you'd like to see what kinds of materials are available before you begin your online application, you can visit the websites of DonorsChoose's online supply partners:

ABC School Supply - Arts and crafts supplies, furniture, children's literature, and teacher resources Abilitations - Products useful for Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy, Special Education and Adapted Physical Education AKJ Books - Wide selection of books Best Buy - Wide variety of electronics, including home appliances and computer and phone equipment Blick Art Materials - Art supplies Cannon Sports - Sporting goods Carolina Biological Supply - Scientific products including microscopes, living and preserved organisms, and lab equipment CDW Government - Electronic and computer equipment	Childcraft Education - Children toys, literature, and woodworking equipment Encyclopedia Britannica - Online and printed databases, dictionaries, and encyclopedias Frey Scientific - Scientific and technological merchandise including classroom lab kits Kaplan Early Learning - Educational and classroom supplies, including dramatic play materials, arts & crafts, furnishings, and more Lab Safety Supply - Industrial and safety supplies for labs Lakeshore Learning - Teaching materials and classroom tools for language, literacy, science, mathematics Nasco - Products for wide variety of projects, including arts and crafts and science projects Quill - Office furniture and supplies, technology, printshop, and cleaning breakrooms	VWR/Sargent-Welch - Products for scientific activities of all levels Sax Arts & Crafts - Products for painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, jewelry making, mosaics, stained glass, arts & crafts resources School Specialty - School materials for students and tips for teachers Sportime - Daily fitness activities Teachers' School Supply -Different subjects, playground equipment, games, and classroom decorations Time for Kids - Time Magazine For Kids (TFK); offers news, games and homework help for kids Weekly Reader - Student practice books for science, writing and reading, and skills such as using reference books and reading maps Woodwind & Brasswind - Musical instruments, supplies, accessories, and sheet music