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.

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 Oregon's learning standards and benchmarks - all of the essential service-learning components.

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.

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:
 

Additional Grant Opportunities

In addition to the small reimbursement grant opportunities offered by SOLV, the following resources are available to financially support student and teacher projects:

Grant Name: Disney Friends for Change Grants Funding Source: Disney and Youth Service America Eligible Applicants: Children (ages 5-18) or the organizations that engage them. Eligible Projects: Youth-led service initiatives around the world that demonstrate youth leasdership and the commitment to making a positive impact on the environment. Special Considerations: Grant Amount: Up to $500 Application Deadline: July 15, 2010 Application Process: Application available online Website: ysa.org/awards

Grant Name: Target Community Field Trip Grant Funding Source: Target Corporation Eligible Applicants: K-12 public, private or charter schools in the US Eligible Projects: Funds can be used for visits to art, science and cultural museums, community service or civic projects, career enrichment opportunities and other events or activities away from the school facility. Funds may be used to cover field trip-related costs such as transportation, ticket fees, resource materials and supplies. Special Considerations: Grant Amount: up to $700 Application Deadline: November 1, 2010 Application Process: Application available online Website: sites.target.com/site/en/corporate/page.jsp?contentId=PRD03-002537

Grant Name: State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grants Funding Source: State Farm Companies Foundation Eligible Applicants: Youth ages 5 to 25, teachers, or school-based service-learning coordinators Eligible Projects: Service-learning projects taking place during Global Youth Service Day 2011 Special Considerations: Grant Amount: Up to $1000 Application Deadline: October 16, 2010 Application Process: Online application Website: www.ysa.org/grants/programs/state-farm-companies-foundation-good-neighbor-service-learning-grants

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-5 Science and Math Education Funding Source: Toshiba America Foundation Eligible Applicants: Grade K-5 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: http://www.toshiba.com/taf/k5.jsp

Grant Name: Grants Program for 6-12 Science and Math Education Funding Source: Toshiba America Foundation Eligible Applicants: Grade 6-12 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/612.jsp

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

Grant Name: NEA’s Green Across America Funding Source: National Education Association and Target Eligible Applicants: K-12 Teachers Eligible Projects: Innovative education programs, activities, lessons or events which excite students about going green, caring for the earth and creating a sustainable future. Special Considerations: Grant Amount: Up to $1000 Application Deadline: July 30th, 2010 Application Process: Online Application Website: www.neamb.com/green

Grant Name: Community Watershed Stewardship Program Funding Source: Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Eligible Applicants: Schools, churches, businesses and other community organizations located in Portland. Eligible Projects: Projects that connect people with watersheds and protect and enhance watershed health. These annual grants are funded through a competitive process based on the merits of the project and CWSP goals for watershed and community benefit.  Special Considerations: Must be located with Portland City Limits Grant Amount: Up to $10,000 for Community Watershed Stewardship Grants, Up to $300 for Native Plant Mini Grants Application Deadline: Spring 2011 for Community Watershed Stewardship Grants, Ongoing for Native Plant Mini Grants Application Process: Online Application Website: www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=43077