Small Grants Program : Proposal Ideas and Examples

Proposal Ideas
Examples of Successful Small Grants Proposals
Summaries of Successful Small Grants Proposals

Proposal Ideas for Submitting a WiscAMP Small Grants Application

Proposal Directed Towards Students:

Participate in summer research experiences
Stipends to work in labs or other research settings in the summer or throughout the academic year
Travel to present their research at national or regional conferences

Proposal Directed Towards Departments:

Enhance tutoring efforts
Develop or enhance existing learning centers
Faculty development opportunities
Pairing students and faculty in internships and exchanges
Supplementary instruction

Proposals Directed Towards Regions:

Provide training sessions about effective strategies for recruiting and retaining students
Develop or enhance effective bridging programs for transferring students
Coordinate disciplinary conference to create partnerships or collaborations
Programs or efforts geared towards smoothing the transition from one institution to another, particularly from technical college to university

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Successfull Small Grant Proposals Awarded by WiscAMP

Summaries of Successfull Small Grant Proposals

WiscAMP Small Grants – Round #1:

Northeast Region (Regional Proposal): "4-2-2-4: A Cycle of Opportunties: A Northeast Region WiscAMP Small Grants Proposal: Summer Opportunities Program"

Description: This program will provide students with unique opportunities to engage in various levels of hands-on learning in STEM disciplines. Students will apply for research or internship programs, ranging from 2 to 10 weeks in length that will provide them with an opportunity to work collaboratively with a faculty member or administrator actively involved in STEM related activities. This range in duration and activities is designed to allow students and faculty members’ flexibility in reaching learning outcomes, in addition to meeting the needs and goals of both the student and faculty, which will be determined by project assignment, time commitment, etc. These opportunities will fall into two categories: research projects and internships. Students will have the option to engage in a more traditional full summer research project or a short-term research project, both involving close collaborative work with a faculty member. A 2 week research project, for example, may consist of a “shadowing experience” in which the student generally assists a faculty member, and possibly other undergraduate or graduate students, in a lab by setting up experiments, recording data, etc. Another 2 week opportunity may include a student serving as a field assistant for a faculty member conducting research in the Menominee Indian Reservation. A 10-week opportunity could be part-time work experience/internship in science doing more intensive research activities, possibly with organizations in students’ home communities, the Field Museum in Chicago, for instance.

Beloit College & UW-Whitewater (Southwest Region): "WiscAMP Scholars Program for Research"

The goal of our proposal is to develop a working relationship between Beloit College and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater towards increasing the number of baccalaureate degrees in biological sciences conferred to underrepresented minorities. We believe that by providing a summer research program that includes a stipend and housing costs, we will be able to recruit underrepresented minorities into the biological sciences, retain students who have a strong interest in biology, and build a community of research scientists by sponsoring and organizing presentations by our students and their research mentors. Working with, but not limited to labs at the Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin at Madison, and Beloit College, students will participate in a collaborative research project. We propose to create a program that funds 10 weeks of summer research and living expenses in the Southern Wisconsin area.

UW System (UW System Institutions & Technical Colleges): "MentorNet Training Meeting"

While the MentorNet service is covered by an existing grant, the program is not without expense to the UW System and WTCS. Each participating campus will be assigning one (or more) campus representative(s) to manage the program on their campus (an approximate one hour/week time commitment). Prior to implementing MentorNet on a campus, the representative(s) will need to participate in a one-day training session to learn how to navigate the on-line system. Additionally, this session will provide tips related to successful outreach strategies for recruiting students (with an emphasis on underrepresented students) to participate in the program. Thus, this grant proposal is asking for limited travel expenses for campus representatives who will be attending the workshop.

UW-Milwaukee (Southeast Region): "Supplemental Math Instruction to Improve Retention of Minority Engineering Students"

The pilot course will introduce students to engineering problems which use the mathematical techniques that they are learning in their college algebra and trigonometry classes. This will allow students to understand the importance of the mathematical techniques and concepts that they are learning in their other classes, and will provide an important introduction to solving practical engineering applications. The goals of this course will be:

Give students entering calculus a much better level of understanding of prerequisite material
Give students practical hands-on engineering examples that directly correspond to what they are currently learning in college algebra and trigonometry, providing a reason for really learning the material they are currently covering.
Allow students to make a connection between areas of math and science and engineering
Emphasize the importance of long-term learning instead of memorization
Emphasize Mathematical concepts and Skills important for engineers Introduce engineering problem solving techniques at an early stage, including elementary design problems
Introduce students to the concepts of using approximation and making reasonable assumptions

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WiscAMP Small Grants – Round #2:

UW-Stout (Superior Upland Region): "Accessing and Enhancing the Impact of the "Math TLC" Approach on the Success of Minority Students in Beginning and Intermediate Algebra Courses"

Mastery of mathematics is fundamental to the success of any student in any STEM field. Using a Math Teaching and Learning Center (Math TLC) with a combined classroom/on-line/tutor lab approach, we have reduced failure rates of students who place into beginning or intermediate algebra courses by more then than 30%. This proposal outlines plans to address several important preliminary questions about the relevance and potential impact of Math TLC-type programs on the WiscAMP goal of increasing the representation of underrepresented minority students in STEM fields. These questions are, first, how have students in these targets groups actually fared in the Math TLC approach? Secondly, is it feasible for students who place into these introductory courses to even consider majoring in a STEM field? And finally, what additional approaches can be developed to enhance opportunities for math success in the minority groups specifically targeted by the WiscAMP program? Pending the outcomes of this exploratory work, we plan to offer Math TLC program development workshops in the summer of 2006 which will be open to all Superior Uplands WiscAMP region schools.

UW-Milwaukee (Southeast Region): "Sophomore Research Experience"

The primary focus of SRE will be an eight-week summer research internship. Each student’s research experience will be under the supervision and mentorship of a UWM faculty member. In addition, personal and academic counseling will be provided by the experienced advising staff of the currently funded Ronald E McNair Postbaccalaureate Program (McNair) and Committee on Institutional Cooperation’s (CIC) Summer Research Opportunities Program (SORP). Each student would receive a $2,800 summer stipend and $550 of research support for each faculty mentored research project. Finally, each SRE intern will be assigned a peer from among the more experienced McNair and CIC scholars. These students, who are nearing completion of their baccalaureate degrees and who are committed to pursuing graduate study, will serve as strong role models for the SRE interns.

Marquette University (Southeast Region): "A Resource Room for Hispanic Students Taking Introductory Physics"

Students whose first language is Spanish are frequently at a disadvantage in introductory physics courses because the work in these courses depends heavily on students’ command of the English language. The introductory physics courses act as “gatekeeper” courses for many STEM careers. We propose to establish a resource room for Hispanic students who are enrolled in introductory physics courses. The room will contain a collection of physics texts in Spanish. It will be staffed by Spanish-speaking tutors for six hours each week. The tutors will be native Spanish speakers majoring in STEM fields. The tutors must have successfully completed the introductory physics sequence and be recommended by their professors. These tutors will not only help Hispanic students learn physics, but they will also serve as role models for success in STEM fields for the students using the room. The resource room will be kept open for students during the hours when the building is open, and they will be encouraged to use it for individual and group study. Funding is requested for three years during which we will seek to determine whether this project increases the success of Hispanic students in introductory physics and how best to use the resource room to benefit these students.
**please note: WiscAMP funded the tutoring portion of this grant proposal as research does show such efforts enhance students' opportunity for success. However, research also shows that Hispanic students, especially second-generation students, are not significantly literate in their native language. Therefore the Spanish language focused part of the proposal was not funded.

UW-Whitewater (Southwest Regional Proposal): "Part-time Research Assistantships to Strengthen Retention and Raise Graduation Rates"

We propose a three year, region-wide initiative to engage URM students in part-time research assistantships in their WiscAMP-eligible STEM majors or anticipated majors. Research assistantships can potentially enhance retention and graduation rates(our primary goal) through several mechanisms, such as building student relationships with mentors and high achieving peers as well as helping students see how skills learned in the classrooms are applied to real research problems. Assistantships will culminate in a regional meeting at which students will present a plan for an independent research projects in their mentor’s laboratory, therefore enhancing the likelihood of an ongoing, productive relationships and facilitating entry into a subsequent summer program. Student attitudes and understanding of research careers will be assessed before and after their research assistantships, using assessment tools selected in collaboration with WiscAMP personnel; faculty experiences and attitudes too will be assessed. Retention and graduation rates will be tracked. This program will facilitate the transition from two year colleges to four year institutions: at least four students presently enrolled in two year colleges will be recruited to work in the laboratories of faculty at the universities and colleges to which they plan to transfer. A secondary goal of this program is enhancing cooperation and collaboration among the PI’s, mentors and students across participating campuses, through two region-wide meetings. Because of the large number of students involved, on several campuses, WIscAMP anticipate an excellent “return on investment.”

UW-La Crosse (Superior Upland Regional Proposal): "Summer Undergraduate Research & Mentoring for Underrepresented Minority Students"

The above-named schools of the Superior Uplands region propose initiating a summer undergraduate research program for underrepresented minority students as identified in the WiscAMP Grant from NSF. We propose to identify mentors and research projects on each campus in STEM fields who are interested in taking on an URMS for a research and mentoring experience. The research experience would be for 10 weeks during the summer. We are proposing that two slots be available for each four-year campus represented, for a total of 12. However, we propose that the students not be limited to the campus where they are currently enrolled. Rather, a list of projects will be generated by the participating campuses and shared with the WiscAMP liaisons on all campuses, allowing students from each campus to apply for projects at any participating campus. This proposal will allow students to find the best match to their research interests; thus enhancing the likelihood of a student making a critical connection to their field of study, thereby enhancing retention on all campuses. Students who are completing their freshman or sophomore years will be targeted for recruitment, since these are the critical retention years for URMS.

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WiscAMP Small Grants – Round #3:

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC): "Supplemental Science, Technology and Mathematics Instruction Project"

This project will expand MATC’s Supplemental Instruction Program to address specific STEM disciplines, such as science, technology and mathematics. The essential elements of the program are peer facilitation, student modeling, integration of content and learning skills, attendance at targeted class lectures, leader training, program supervision, faculty support, regularly scheduled sessions, program evaluation and targeted courses rather than students. All students enrolled in science, technology and or mathematics classes will have an opportunity to receive content and college skill-based Supplemental Instruction. The project will implement an early warning process to identify 30 students who could benefit from supplemental instruction. Of those students, 60% (18) who participate in the program will increase their grade level by the completion of the course.

Alverno College : "SE Regional Student Assistant Conference "

A consortium of WiscAMP schools in the Southeastern Region, including Alverno, UW-Parkside, UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College and Waukesha Area Technical College request funding from the WiscAMP small grants fund to support student participation in the conference “Educating Others, Enhancing Ourselves – 2nd Annual Academic Assistant Conference”. The conference, which will be held at Alverno College in the fall of 2006, is mainly a student run conference focusing on leadership training for student assistants such as tutors or peer mentors. Faculty mentors at each participating institutions will organize student groups to participate in, and present at the conference. A separate break out session for WiscAMP students will be provided at the conference to encourage student networking and to provide information about WiscAMP and opportunities in STEM fields.

UW-Whitewater: "Part-time Research Assistantships to Strengthen Retention and Raise Graduation Rates"

We propose a second year of a region-wide initiative to engage URM students in part-time paid research assistantships in their STEM majors or anticipated majors. Research assistantships may enhance retention and graduation rates through several mechanisms, such as building student relationships with mentors and helping students see how skills learned in the classroom are applied to real research problems. Assistantships will culminate in a regional meeting at which students will present a plan for an independent research project (for summer or fall) in their mentor’s laboratory, thereby enhancing the likelihood of an ongoing, productive relationship and facilitating entry into a subsequent summer program. Student attitudes and understanding of research and research careers will be assessed before and after their research assistantships, using assessment tools we have developed in collaboration with WiscAMP personnel. Retention and graduation rates will be tracked. This program will facilitate the transition from two year colleges to four year institutions: at least four students presently enrolled in two year colleges will work in the laboratories of faculty at the institutions to which they plan to transfer. A secondary goal of this program is enhancing cooperation and collaboration across participating campuses through two region-wide meetings. Because of the large number of students involved and because the first year of the program has run smoothly, WiscAMP can anticipate an excellent “return on investment”.

UW-Parkside: "Inform and Inspire, Support and Graduate STEM Majors"

The University of Wisconsin–Parkside proposes a major STEM project planned and coordinated by staff in the Provost ’s Office/Academic Affairs in collaboration with several other campus units. This STEM Project will involve:

Peer math tutors who are students of color to provide services daily in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
Provision of special workshops and sessions designed to inform and encourage students of color to major in STEM disciplines. Targeted audiences include the following:

The Summer Scholars Program that serves as a stepping stone for incoming freshmen students of color.
Freshmen participating in the University’s First Year Program.
Student organizations serving targeted students, e.g., the Black Student Union (African Americans), Sacred Circle (Native Americans), and Latinos Unidos (Hispanics).

Faculty/staff and students to serve as Mentors for underrepresented minorities who are STEM majors.
Provision of special workshops and group mentoring sessions designed to encourage current STEM majors who are students of color, and increase their retention and graduation rates.
Speaker series involving successful alumni of color and other STEM role models in the local area.

The proposed STEM project at UW-Parkside has tremendous potential to forward WiscAMP goals given the large number of underrepresented minority students enrolled at UW-Parkside, which is the most diverse campus in the University of Wisconsin System.

Beloit College: "WiscAMP Scholars Summer Workshop"

The goal of our proposal is to conduct a pilot program that will lead to the development of a summer workshop to prepare underrepresented minorities for the challenges of courses in STEM fields. The transition from high school to college is often difficult for students that may not have received the appropriate training in math, genetics, evolution, and research and writing skills. Based on experience at Beloit College, Calculus I and increased writing demands of science courses are the two biggest obstacles to underrepresented minorities in completing their degrees in STEM fields. Beloit College, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and -Platteville are committed to increasing the number of baccalaureate degrees in STEM fields conferred to underrepresented minorities. We propose a yearly program with three objectives:

To prepare students for the challenges of a rigorous curriculum.
Give first and second year students an opportunity to conduct research with faculty, developing research skills in the STEM fields; and
Establish a peer support network on each of the campuses within the Southwest Region.

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