K-16 Education: Project Planning and Support

Our K-16 educational programs and curricula are designed to place students in charge, as they involve them in service-learning. Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Students gain a "real world" extension to their classroom education, and at the same time, build a connection to their community.

R Oregon K-6

SOLV offers R Oregon, a step by step program guide that helps students in elementary grades plan and complete a service-learning project. R Oregon is aligned with Oregon's Career-Related Learning standards; a matrix showing this alignment is included in the planning guide.

R Oregon helps students to "Read" their community and plan how they can help improve it; "Research" their service project and connect it to what they are learning in the classroom; "Reflect" on what they are learning about themselves and about working with others during the project; "Recognize" their success and thank everyone who helped; and "Report" on their accomplishments.

Contact SOLV to order your free copy of the R Oregon Planning Guide. Click here to download and preview the Table of Contents and R Oregon Project Stories.

Grants and Supplies Available

Through R Oregon, SOLV will fund student projects with small reimbursement grants of up to $100 per project (one grant per school during the 2007 calendar year). SOLV encourages even our youngest student participants - with guidance from teachers - to complete and submit the application for these grants.

Click below for online forms

• Step 1 Apply for a Project
• Step 2 Apply for a Grant (after project approval)
• Step 3 Order Supplies (If needed)
• Step 4 Accomplishment Report

Make It Right 6-12

Students at these grade levels are invited to initiate, design, and implement projects in their school or surrounding community that will:

• Clean or enhance their environment
• Respond to community problems
• Involve others - students and adults - in order to make a difference!

The Make It Right Planning Guide is a comprehensive service-learning tool and reference manual, filled with step-by-step worksheets, tips and sample materials to help students organize the project. Students also learn how to:

• Identify community needs
• Set goals
• Recruit volunteers
• Plan a media campaign and write a news release
• Develop a project budget, and seek funding

Reflection and evaluation tools are included, as well as a matrix demonstrating the program's alignment with the CIM and CAM career-related learning standards and benchmarks - all of the essential service-learning components.

Contact SOLV to order your free copy of the Make It Right Planning Guide. Click here to download and preview the Table of Contents and Make It Right Project Stories

Through Make It Right, SOLV will fund student projects with small reimbursement grants of up to $100 per project (one grant per school during the 2007 calendar year). SOLV encourages students to complete and submit the application for these grants.

Click below for online forms

• Step 1 Apply for a Project
• Step 2 Apply for a Grant (after project approval)
• Step 3 Order Supplies (If needed)
• Step 4 Accomplishment Report

Extended Application or Senior Project (11-12)

SOLV is ready to work with Oregon high school students as they prepare an Extended Application, or a Senior Project. Interested students are invited to contact SOLV early in the school year, to discuss school and SOLV project requirements.

Download a .pdf containing the following information:
Expectations and Commitments.pdf (71kb)

SOLV provides:

• Permission to access a metro-area SOLV-managed restoration or enhancement site
• A handbook (Make It Right) outlining suggested project organization, including all necessary forms and waivers
• Small grant reimbursement assistance, as appropriate
• All tools (as available – or suggestions as to where to locate tools), disposal material (litter bags), gloves, hazmat containers, safety vests
• Ongoing technical advice for project design and implementation

The student will be expected to demonstrate:

In advance:
A detailed, written plan of the proposed project, identifying:

1. The written community need being met
2. How the project will benefit the community
3. How the project meets the student’s academic goals
4. Specific anticipated outcomes – e.g., plant 50 trees, clear 25 cu.yds. of invasives, design a restoration plan for a designated area, etc.
5. For students under 18 years of age:the name of an adult mentor/advisor/teacher or counselor working with the student
6. In addition: the student will present, to SOLV, all school-required forms that SOLV will need to complete, to certify successful completion of the senior project

During the project phase:
The student will commit to:

1. Recruit a minimum of 10-15 other students or community volunteers to help with the project
2. Advertise the project at the school (poster, flyer, etc.)
3. Collect all necessary signed waivers from property owners and volunteers
4. Pick up all tools and related necessary project materials and deliver them to the project site
5. Meet all timelines as established by SOLV
6. Follow SOLV guidelines for the work being done

After the project:
The student will complete:

• Specific project goals, as outlined in the written plan (see #5 above)
• Make It Right Accomplishment Report
• Reimbursement request with receipts (if a grant was given)
• A written or structured oral reflection, describing the connections between the project, the community, the academic goals, and the student
• Other specified outcome(s), as agreed upon in advance between the student and SOLV
• Return of all tools and other borrowed project materials to SOLV

K-16

Students are invited to participate in SOLV’s one-day community restoration, enhancement, and beautification events by developing and implementing service-learning projects. As with SOLV’s other project-based education opportunities, a variety of support is offered through our education program for classes participating in each of these SOLV volunteer events:
 

Small Grant Opportunities

In Addition to the small reimbursement grant opportunities offered by SOLV to support R Oregon, Make It Right, Down By The Riverside, INTEL-SOLV Clean & Green Project, and SOLV IT service-learning projects, the following provide resources to financially support student and teacher projects:

Grant Name: State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grants With the generous support of the State Farm Companies Foundation, Youth Service America is offering the annual State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grant for youth across the United States and Canada (select provinces). These grants of up to $1,000 support youth (ages 5-25), teachers, or school-based service-learning coordinators in implementing service-learning projects for Global Youth Service Day 2008. To learn more, download an application and grant guidelines at www.YSA.org/awards or email Goodneighbor@ysa.org. The deadline to apply is October 16.

Grant Name: The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people in grades 5 through 12 who have demonstrated exemplary voluntary service to their communities. Eligibility: Students in grades 5-12 who have conducted a volunteer service activity within the past year. Maximum Award: $5,000 Application Deadline: October 31, 2008 Learn more at www.prudential.com/view/page/public/12846

Grant Name: Build an Outdoor Classroom at Your School Funding Source: Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, International Paper Foundation, and National Geographic Explorer! Eligible Applicants: Grade K-12 public schools in the US and Puerto Rico Eligible Projects: Grants to build a new outdoor classroom or enhance a current outdoor classroom at a school Special Considerations: Meet with a Lowe’s manager at the store nearest you before applying Grant Amount: $2,000-$20,000 Application Deadline: Ongoing; three review times each year Application Process: Online; Must submit copy of online application and support letter from principal or superintendent via mail Website: www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/outdoor/index.html

Grant Name: K-12 Public School Initiative or Community Improvement Grant Funding Source: Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation Eligible Applicants: 501(c) 3 or public agency Eligible Projects: Grants for park/neighborhood enhancements; Building repair; Landscaping; Garden projects; Cleanups; Playground enhancements; etc. Special Considerations: Meet with a Lowe’s manager at the store nearest you before applying Grant Amount: $5,000-$25,000 Application Deadline: Ongoing; four review times each year Application Process: Online; recommended meeting with Lowe's store manager in your community prior to applying Website: apps.bridgetree.com/funding/default3.asp?sid=200521859232387493

Grant Name: Grants Program for K-6 Science and Math Education Funding Source: Toshiba America Foundation Eligible Applicants: Grade K-6 teacher in a public or private (non-profit) school in the US Eligible Projects: Grants to advance math and science teaching Special Considerations: Projects must take place during the school day, be completed by May 1st, and take place during at least three class sessions Grant Amount: Up to $1,000 Application Deadline: October 1 Application Process: Mail Website: www.toshiba.com/taf/apply.html

Grant Name: Grants Program for 7-12 Science and Math Education Funding Source: Toshiba America Foundation Eligible Applicants: Grade 7-12 teacher in a public or private (non-profit) school in the US Eligible Projects: Grants for projects enabling forward thinking teachers to use science and math to engage students in positive and challenging learning experiences Special Considerations: Grant Amount: Up to $5,000; some larger grants may be available Application Deadline: Ongoing; large grants (over $5,000) due Aug. 1 and Feb. 1 Application Process: Mail Website: www.toshiba.com/taf/apply.html

Grant Name: Healthy Waters Institute Pilot Resource Pool Grant Funding Source: Healthy Waters Institute Eligible Applicants: Teachers within the pilot watersheds (Bear Creek, Johnson Creek, Upper Deschutes, Marys River); Salmon Watch teachers; Teachers with projects that further the Healthy Waters Institute mission Eligible Projects: Grants for projects that are community based and connect students to their local waters; Money may be used for transportation, substitutes, equipment, rentals, science education tools or services Special Considerations: Grant Amount: $100-$350 Application Deadline: Sept. 15, Dec. 15, Feb. 15 of each year; teachers may submit more than one request per cycle Application Process: Application available online Website: www.healthywatersinstitute.org/resourcesForEducators.html

Grant Name: Disney Minnie Grants Funding Source: Youth Service America and Disney Eligible Applicants: Applicants in the US are eligible if they have participated in N & GYSD 2006; applicants outside the US need not have participated in GYSD in order to apply Eligible Projects: Projects that support youth ages 5-14 or engage them in service Special Considerations: Project must take place During Global Youth Service Day April 24-26 2009. Grant Amount: $500 Application Deadline: January 2009 Application Process: Application available online Website: www.YSA.org/awards

Grant Name: Oregon Arbor Week Tree Planting Grant Funding Source: World Forestry Center Eligible Applicants: Oregon teachers of all grades Eligible Projects: Tree planting on school grounds or nearby Special Considerations: Project All projects must involve students in the planning and planting of trees. Grant must be used solely for purchasing trees. Trees must be planted by April 30th. Grant Amount: $50 Application Deadline: April 6th Application Process: Application available online Website: worldforestrycenter.org/topics/TreePlantingGrants.php