Teacher Support

School Grants Scheme - Guidance Notes

Aim

• To provide schools with funding for small-scale projects or events linked to the teaching or promotion of physics and, in particular, particle physics, astronomy and space science.

Size of Grants

• Grants of up to £500 may be awarded.

Eligibility

• The scheme is open to all UK educational institutions (schools and colleges) catering for pupils/students in the age range 5-18.
• Normally, schools will be limited to one grant per year.

Applications

• Applicants should complete the application form electronically and then the evaluation form on completion of the project.

Timing

• Applicants may apply at any time. The maximum time between application and response will, as far as possible, not exceed 2 months.

Selection

• There will be a selection group for each project consisting of 1 Institute representative, 1 STFC official and 1 independent member.
• Feedback to applicants will not be offered.
• Grants will be made on the basis of additionality or enrichment.
  
  
• Successful applications will meet some or all of these criteria:
  
  
  • promotion of greater interest in/understanding of physics
  • cost effectiveness
  • innovative projects
  • activities proven to interest young people in the physical sciences
  • links to current research and/or the research community are encouraged
  • links to STFC-funded areas of science or technology (broadly Particle Physics, Astronomy, Space and Nuclear Physics) are particularly encouraged and 2/3 of the funds are reserved for such projects.
  • Bids for bought in activities or shows will be strengthened if integrated with a wider project.
    
    
    
• Applications which will not normally be funded:
  
  • Costs normally met from school budgets (e.g. the purchase of text books).
  • Projects that the referees judge would proceed regardless of a grant award.
  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD) unless specifically linked to the project
  • Annual subscriptions
  • Projects requiring more than £500 where sources of additional funding are not stated.
    
    
• Grants may be used for the following project-related purposes
  • Supply cover
  • Materials/resources
  • Transport
  • Marketing and publicity
  • Other purposes deemed appropriate by the judges

Financial

• Please provide full details of the costs involved in the project, including sources of additional funding if the total exceeds £500
• The Institute will disburse grants to successful applicants immediately following approval of applications

Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation

• On completion of a funded project, applicants are required to produce a simple report and evaluation by filling in the evaluation form following the same procedure as for the application form.
• Completion of the evaluation form is a condition for further funding and the quality of the evaluation will be considered when judging future applications.
• Your evaluation should aim to:
  • Establish whether the objectives of your project have been met.
  • Determine the impact your project has had.
  • Identify how the project could have been more effective.
  • Identify whether there have been unintended outcomes and what these were.*

* reference: Research Councils UK - Practical Guidelines: Evaluation

Guidance on Planning Your Project

Telescopes

If you are considering purchasing a telescope we recommend that you seek expert advice before choosing one. Read our telescope leaflet for guidance. Your local astronomical society should be able to answer any questions you have and there are also several useful websites listed on the right-hand side of page. 

Speakers

If you are thinking about using a guest speaker here are a series of questions you may like to ask in advance:

• What age range is the speaker aiming at?
• What ability is the talk suitable for?
• What topics will they cover?
• How do they match to any statutory guidelines (like the National Curriculum in England)?
• Is there any interactive material?
• What audiences has the speaker given the topic to before?
• Are there any local schools who could recommend the speaker?
• What audio-visual requirements are there?

Once you have a speaker you will need to think about sustaining the experience by preparing material for the students to use before and after the event. This enables students to make the most of the event and to have a lasting memory of the talk. 

Further Information

For further information about the grant scheme please contact:

Education Department
Institute of Physics
76 Portland Place
London W1B 1NT

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7470 4800
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7470 4848
Email: schoolgrants@iop.org

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