Minnesota Sea Grant Educator Mini-Grant Program

Great Lakes literacy is an understanding of the Great Lakes’ influences on people and people's influence on the Great Lakes. 

The Great Lakes Literacy Principles were developed in 2010 by Sea Grant's Center for Great Lakes Literacy (CGLL) to address the demand for a place-based, aquatic literacy framework to serve as guidance for research, education, informed decision making, and improved citizens’ lifestyles in the region (Fortner and Manzo, 2011). 

A Great Lakes-literate person understands essential principles and fundamental concepts about the characteristics, functioning, and value of the Great Lakes; can communicate accurately about the Great Lakes’ influence on systems and people in and beyond their watershed; and is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the Great Lakes and the resources of their watershed. 

Those eligible for the Center for Great Lakes Literacy (CGLL) mini-grant include educators working with K-12 youth in Minnesota, whether inside or outside a traditional classroom setting, including but not limited to: 

1. Aquariums 
2. Charter schools 
3. Environmental learning centers 
4. Libraries 
5. Nature centers 
6. Private schools 
7. Public schools 

Priority consideration will be given to: 

1. Applicants that have previously participated in Center for Great Lakes Literacy programming.
2. Projects that benefit K-12 students/educators in underserved communities. 

Applicants who have never worked with Minnesota Sea Grant or Center for Great Lakes Literacy before are encouraged to apply. 

Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) anticipates providing $5,000 to fund up to eight projects at a maximum of $600 per project. Only one proposal per school year, per educator will be funded. Funding may be issued directly to the applicant as a stipend, depending upon the project and project track. 

The grant program has two tracks: providing experiential learning for K-12 students (track 1) and professional development opportunities for educators (track 2). Applicants are only permitted to select one track for their application. 

Track 1: Providing Experiential Learning for K-12 Students

This track is for projects supporting educators as they and their students research topics for possible stewardship projects, develop a plan of action, implement their project, evaluate its effectiveness, and share project results. This includes the purchase of supplies and/or service required to provide place-based stewardship, monitoring, service learning, or career exploration/workforce development experiences for students. This includes: 

• Learning tools 
• Activity kits 
• Monitoring equipment or supplies 
• Field trips/experiences, including bus transportation, entry/registration fees for students, and any supplies and gear necessary 
• Honoraria for guest speakers

Track 2: Professional Development Opportunities for Educators

Registration, travel (IRS standard mileage rate, U.S. General Services Administration per diem and lodging rates), supply costs and honoraria for guest speakers related to relevant professional development and/or peer mentoring of fellow educators. This includes:

• Travel to attend or present at a scientific or marine education conference
• Travel to attend workshops or training
• Providing Great Lakes in-service training or hosting a workshop for your colleagues (including honoraria for guest speakers)

Submit the application form by the priority deadline of 11:59 p.m. CT on Monday, December 16, 2024. Applications submitted by the priority deadline will be considered first, but will accept applications on a rolling basis until all funds are expended. 

Priority will be given to projects that align with at least one of the Great Lakes Literacy Principles and align with the MNSG 2024-2027 Strategic Plan's Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development (ELWD) focus Area. Specific ELWD priority outcomes include:

• Desired Outcome 1.1.2: Provide educators with relevant opportunities, peer-reviewed resources, and support leading to the development of actionable science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematical (STEAM) curricula to meet Next Generation Science Standards.
• Desired Outcome 2.1.3: Middle- and high-school students of all communities throughout Minnesota are aware of water-based industries, job opportunities, and careers in the state and have the resources to pursue those opportunities that interest them.
• Desired Outcome 2.1.4: Provide career and professional development opportunities in the science and management of water resources to students and lifelong learners.
•  

Projects that incorporate traditional ecological knowledge and/or traditional local knowledge and stewardship are encouraged.

Applicants who have never worked with Minnesota Sea Grant or the Center for Great Lakes Literacy (CGLL) before are encouraged to apply. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who have participated in CGLL programming, including, but not limited to:

• Educator professional development workshops
• CGLL Mentor Program
• iNaturalist Workshop
• MNSG's Watershed Game Workshop
• Sea Grant Great Lakes BioBlitz

Grants will be awarded based on scoring in the application review process. Applications will be reviewed by at least two MNSG staff. Staff will rate the applications on a scale from “does not meet expectations (1/10)” to “adequately meets expectations (5/10)” to “exceeds expectations (10/10)” for each of the criteria in each program track. After reviewing the criteria, grants will be awarded based on applications with the highest scores and available funding for current grant cycle. Applications not funded in this grant cycle are encouraged to reapply.

Criteria for Track 1: Providing Experiential Learning for K-12 Students

1. Alignment with one or more of the Great Lakes Literacy Principles (25%). 
2. Alignment with the Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development focus area goals and outcomes in MNSG 2024-2027 Strategic Plan (25%). 
3. Potential for the project to provide experiential learning opportunities, resources, and support for youth that promote Great Lakes literacy and stewardship (25%). 
4. Applicant’s previous involvement with Center for Great Lakes Literacy Programming (10%). 
5. Project’s impact to K-12 students/educators in underserved communities, including school districts with greater than 50% eligibility for free and reduced price lunch (according to Minnesota Department of Health data) and/or communities in the 90th percentile or higher demographic index (according to U.S. EPA’s Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool) (10%). 
6. Plan for educators and their students to share their projects with other students, educators, and administrators in their districts, and the larger community outside of school (5%).

Criteria for Track 2: Professional Development Opportunities for Educators

1. Alignment with one or more of the Great Lakes Literacy Principles (25%).
2. Alignment with the Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development focus area goals and outcomes in MNSG 2024 - 2027 Strategic Plan (25%).
3. Potential for the project to increase Great Lakes educators’ content knowledge, access to teaching resources, and confidence to incorporate Great Lakes literacy into their teaching (25%).
4. Applicant’s previous involvement with Center for Great Lakes Literacy Programming (10%).
5. Project’s impact to K - 12 students/educators in underserved communities, including school districts with greater than 50% eligibility for free and reduced price lunch (according to Minnesota Department of Health data) and/or communities in the 90th percentile or higher demographic index (according to U.S. EPA’s Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool) (10%).
6. Plan for educators and their students to share their projects with other students, educators, and administrators in their districts, and the larger community outside of school (5%).

Projects must take place between January 1, 2025, and August 29, 2025. 

• Monday, December 16, 2024, 11:59 p.m. CT: Priority application deadline. 
  • Applications received on or before this deadline will be considered for funding. If any funds remain after the priority deadline has passed, then the applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. 
• Friday, December 20, 2024: Notification of award for applications received on or before the priority deadline.
• January 2025, date and time to be determined: Awardee meet-and-greet .
• Friday, March 14, 2025, 5:00 p.m. CT: Interim report due. 
• Friday, September 19, 2025, 5:00 p.m. CT: Final report due.

The Educator Mini-Grant Program is supported by Minnesota Sea Grant using federal funds provided by the Center for Great Lakes Literacy through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.