November 2024
Garrett Morgan Symposium
Call for help!
Recent leadership and priority changes have taken place at one of our key funders leading to a gap in funding for 2025. We are hard at work looking for additional grant funding, however, we can use your help! Please consider donating during this holiday season. Your support matters to us and the students we serve!
Why Your Support Matters:
Science is one of the most expensive subjects to teach, leaving underfunded schools without the resources to provide meaningful, hands-on learning.
Careers in science are plagued by representation issues, stemming from educational inequities.
We believe science is for everyone, and together, we can create pathways for all students to succeed.
What We Do:
Through our Life as a Scientist program, we:
Introduce students to cutting-edge science in their own classrooms.
Enable them to design experiments, write grant proposals, conduct research, and publish results—just like professional scientists.
Provide mentorship from trained volunteers at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State, and the Cleveland Clinic.
The Impact:
Students gain firsthand experience in the scientific process, teamwork, and problem-solving.
We empower youth from historically excluded communities, building a more diverse and equitable future in STEM.
What People Are Saying:
“Rise Up has been a huge success in my classroom. The program is truly one of a kind, and the future of education.” — CMSD Teacher
“I learned how to use a vortex, conduct a real experiment, and the concept of teamwork.” — Lincoln-West Student
You Can Help:
Please visit our website to donate, any amount helps!
Introduction to grant writing
Grant writing
Students at Lincoln-West School of Science and Health showed off their creativity as they worked hard on their grant proposals throughout late October and early November. Their hard work culminated in submission to Rise Up for review on November 12th.
Over 100 thoughtfully crafted grant proposals were submitted by six different classes, each packed with innovation, curiosity, and fresh perspectives. These proposals showcased the students' ability to think critically, collaborate effectively, and explore novel solutions to complex problems. This phase of the Life as a Scientist program not only allows students to develop essential skills such as research, persuasive writing, and strategic thinking but also encourages them to engage with real-world challenges in meaningful ways. Many of their submissions have personal stories related to their lives and community.
This type of programming is huge for our students. Their ability to explore their own ideas and have professionals thoughtfully engage and respond is vital to long term buy-in. They are excited to start experiments right after the New Year!
Study section
With the goal of giving students the opportunity to live as a scientist for a year, we treat this process very seriously. After the students submitted proposals on November 12th, we held a study section with professional scientists to discuss each student proposal. This is modeled after the NIH study section for maximum authenticity.
The NIH study section is a group of experts who review grant applications submitted to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These study sections are organized by the NIH’s Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and consist of scientists with expertise in the specific area of research addressed in the applications.
The study section’s primary role is to evaluate proposals for their scientific merit, including the significance of the research, innovation, approach, investigator qualifications, and resources. Each proposal is scored based on these criteria, helping determine its priority for funding. Study sections ensure that NIH funding supports high-quality, impactful research projects.
We will share more about the projects that were chosen in next month’s newsletter so please stay tuned!
