The Stoney Awards

The Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association has as its motto, "Teachers Helping Teachers." On February 22, 1997, MESTA extended its helping hand to 10 teachers in Michigan through the organization's newest creation, The Stoney Awards.

Stoney Awards are $500.00 mini-grants given to teachers throughout the state of Michigan to support student-centered earth science activities. This latest effort on the part of MESTA has been named in honor of Dr. Harold B. Stonehouse, the original director of MESTA, and a founding member of NESTA (the national counterpart of MESTA).

Money for these awards is raised through MESTA activities such as "Free and Inexpensive," "Rock Shop," and "Rock Raffle." These events, taking place at various science conferences throughout the state, not only allow teachers to get classroom materials at very low cost, but now also support creative classroom ideas.

Purpose: To support innovative classroom ideas in Earth Science
Award amount: Not to exceed $500
Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: Any Michigan teacher

Click here to look at an application for the MESTA Stoney Award program.

The application is a .pdf file, so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Grant Guidelines

      1. Any Michigan teacher is eligible to apply for a grant award. If the applicant is not a member of MESTA, the first budget item must be for membership.
      2. Grant applications must have educational content that promotes Earth Science and the stated purposes of MESTA.
      3. Grants applications are reviewed and awarded on a competitive basis. The Review Committee is comprised of members of the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association.
      4. Applications can be for interdisciplinary or team teaching projects, however the content emphasis must be Earth
        Science.
      5. Applications need to be geared to those activities not currently supported by existing funds, or which are not part of a
        school district’s responsibility.
      6. Funds requested must play a key role in the success of the program. Grant funds can not be used for salaries.
      7. Applicants can not request more than $500. Funding can be used to cover the expense of supplies and materials,
        transportation and honorariums.
      8. Five copies of the completed application must be submitted by the deadline.
      9. Grant awards for approved applications will be made directly to applicants. Grant awards must be expended within the
        school year the application was approved.
      10. Approved grant award applicants are responsible for submitting a final progress and expense report with attached
        receipts within one year of award. The final progress and expense report packet with instructions will be provided to grant awardees.

Review and Approval Process

      1. Submitted and completed applications will be reviewed by the Reader Review Committee and the MESTA Executive Board.
        Review dates:December/January
        Announcement of Awards: January (Beginning of second semester)
      2. Winning applicants will be notified in advance of their grant award. Instructions on record keeping and reporting
        requirements will accompany the check.

For more information contact Cris DeWolf at cdewolf@chsd.us or cdewolf2@excite.com or by mail at:

Cris DeWolf
MESTA Stoney Awards
P.O. Box 357
Mecosta, MI 49332

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