Secondary School Mathematics Grants

by Susan Deschel

Grants for secondary school math programs support students and teachers in ways that classrooms and schools can't, professionally and academically. Such support includes methods that improve teaching, supporting math projects, learning and understanding math, and staying current on new teaching trends. It's all pivotal to keeping math alive, teachers excited and students enjoying it.
National Council of Teachers of Math

Associations like to sponsor grants, and the National Council of Teachers of Math is no exception, beginning with the Program of Mathematics Study and Active Professionalism Grants for teachers of Pre-K through sixth grade. The grant provides funding for teachers who want to improve their skills in teaching math, as well as support understanding and appreciation for it. Funding is from one to three years, with a maximum of $24,000 per person. The grades Pre-K-8 Preservice Teacher Action Research Grants provides support for teachers who want to conduct action research to improve their understanding of mathematics. Funds can be used for expenses needed to follow through on the action research. The maximum amount of each award is $3,000. The NCTM Professional Development Scholarship funds the teaching of the history of math by providing financial support for teachers to complete course work related to its teaching.

The Mathematical Association of America: Women and Mathematics Grant

The Mathematical Association of America provides funding for projects geared toward generating interest from women in mathematics. Funds, up to $6,000 each, are provided for creating clubs, release time to study mathematics at an accredited institution, creating networks of professionals to mentor girls, conference or symposia organization, and forming industry partnerships to introduce women and girls to real-life mathematical applications. Previous awards have resulted in an outreach program called Women Count, with four conferences, in Madison, Wis.; Boulder, Colo.; Albuquerque, N.M.; and San Jose, Calif.
Hewlett Packard Company

Hewlett Packard sponsors the HP Innovations in Education grant for secondary schools to use in the development of "innovative pilot initiatives" that support success in middle and high school math. The goal is to keep secondary students involved in research, innovation and design through real-life mathematical application. Several grants focus this effort, and include the Leadership Capacity grant, the Digital Learning Environments grant, the Secondary Student Design and Research Experience grant, and the High-tech Career Awareness grant. Funding is valued at over $270,000 in cash, stipends and equipment to include digital projectors, HP docks with DVD drives and HP Tablet PC laptops.