More Than 250 Arkansas Teachers Receive Minigrants for Science Materials

285 grants were awarded recently to Arkansas teachers through Arkansas Community Foundation’s annual Science Initiative for Middle Schools (SIMS) program, which encourages hands-on science instruction by making grants for the purchase of materials for science experiments.

 

Applications were submitted by teachers in counties served by one of Arkansas Community Foundation’s 27 local offices and central office in Pulaski County. In total, this year’s grants will fund $107,000 in science materials for classrooms throughout the state, enabling an estimated 34,000 children to participate in hands-on science activities. 

“Although hands-on science instruction is mandated in Arkansas’s curriculum frameworks, we know that teachers often lack the resources to provide the kinds of experiments and interactive learning experiences they’d like to give their students,” said Heather Larkin, ARCF President and CEO. “This grant program enables us to give teachers a helping hand to bring science alive.”

Annual funding for this program is made possible by an endowed gift to ARCF from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. SIMS grants are available each fall; visit arcf.org for more information. 

Arkansas Community Foundation makes grants to improve the quality of life in our state and collaborates with individuals, families and organizations to build local communities through philanthropy. ARCF has more than $145 million in assets and has provided more than $80 million in grants since it began operation in 1976. Contributions to ARCF, its funds and any of its 27 local affiliate offices are fully tax deductible.

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