PVSTEMNET PIPELINE FUND GRANT PROPOSAL
SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE – Lead Contact DRAFT
Partners in Revitalizing Interest in Science and Mathematics (PRISM):
a Greater Springfield/Holyoke initiative to serve the Pioneer Valley region
PRISM OVERVIEW: Springfield College proposes to lead “Partners in Revitalizing Interest in
Science and Mathematics” (PRISM) for the Pioneer Valley Region, with Holyoke Community
College and American International College as co-leaders. PRISM’s goal is to be a facilitator and
catalyst to the region’s PVSTEMNET collaboration, by initially focusing on the cities of Springfield,
Holyoke, and other cities and towns in critical need of STEM education stimuli. Functioning as a
“network within a network,” PRISM members will coordinate education and employer efforts for
schools and school districts identified by the Commonwealth as in need of improvement in STEM
performance. With seed funding from the Mass. Board of Higher Education’s STEM Pipeline Fund,
PRISM will focus PVSTEMNET’s college-employer activities on schools and students who need
those resources the most. Many of the region’s critical STEM resources, especially employers and
workforce boards, are based in Springfield or Holyoke, but their scope extends throughout the
Pioneer Valley through a myriad of consortia, councils, and exiting partnerships. The Springfield-
Holyoke-based PRISM will marshal resources to effect Pipeline outcomes for the entire region.
PRISM would expand the involvement and contributions of PreK-12 schools, colleges, and industry
in planning events, activities, and programs to revitalize interest in all areas of science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics for the PreK-16 student population. PRISM will seek to strengthen,
expand, and support the Pioneer Valley region’s STEM Pipeline Network, toward the common goal
of increasing the number of students choosing to pursue advanced education and lifelong careers in
STEM-related fields. PRISM will help to coordinate student recruitment into programs to avoid
duplication of services and key targeting of students and schools in need.
METHOD OF APPROACH:
PRISM will consist of the active members of PreK-16 schools and colleges, employers, and other
community resources with a variety of connections to the formal network. Many local organizations
and businesses that would be of value to the STEM Pipeline initiative could form local alliances with
PVSTEMNET PRISM participants, even if not participating on a regional basis. PRISM will focus
on cultivating and maintaining industry/employer/workforce sustainability for PVSTEMNET
Pipeline objectives and activities through such resources as the Joint Workforce Advisory Board,
comprising Greenfield, Holyoke, and Springfield Technical Community Colleges, and
representatives of business, industry, and community-based organizations.
The PRISM advisory council would meet initially on a bi-monthly basis, with local members having
assigned duties and responsibilities, such as media relations, membership development & resource
recruitment, community outreach, event coordination, and program planning and evaluation. All
members of PRISM who wish to be on PVSTEMNET’s dissemination list will receive
PVSTEMNET notices and invitations to region-wide meetings.
Springfield College, Holyoke Community College, and American International College will co-lead
the PRISM initiative in actively recruiting partners for the PRISM Council, hosting local PRISM
meetings, and in providing assistance to the region’s PVSTEMNET coordinated efforts.
Requested funding for the PRISM Council’s coordinating activities: $10,000/year x 3 years
For leadership honoraria, mailings, copying, student recruiting, community relations, etc.
DRAFT – November 14, 2006 page 1 of 6
PVSTEMNET PIPELINE FUND GRANT PROPOSAL
SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE – Lead Contact DRAFT
EXAMPLES OF LOCAL EVENTS, ACTIVITIES, AND PROGRAMS:
1. An active after school program that establishes members of PRISM as mentors of science and
mathematics in the PreK through 12 public schools on an ongoing basis. There are several ongoing
afterschool programs for the middle and highs schools (and at the elementary level), which could be
coordinated and advanced by the PRISM group. These existing programs encourage STEM careers and
prepare these students for college, e.g., MassMutual’s Academic Achievers Club in Springfield’s high
schools, and Gear-up’s after school clubs and tutoring in Holyoke and Springfield. Indeed, because the
myriad of afterschool programs are not well coordinated, competition between programs for the same target
populations of students is sometimes fierce; students needing the help cannot participate in them all, and
program attendance rates decline. As a coordinating body, PRISM will map existing options and seek to
enhance programs that are already in place, rather than creating a host of competing new options. For
example, science and math content could be further infused into existing programs, with enhanced
opportunities such as visits to colleges, projects, and laboratory sessions with professors, and experiences
with business professionals, employer field trips, etc.
2. An active, on-going program for in-service teacher mentorship that will match PRISM members with in-
service PreK through 12 teachers. Valley Opportunity Council’s Gear Up provides each participating
school with teacher professional development funds. Through PRISM, these funds could be linked to
working with local colleges or businesses that provide content training or facilitate workshops.
3. Summer Content Institutes for in-service PreK through 12 teachers, including resources provided through
Gear Up.
4. Summer Camps for “Emerging Scientists and Mathematicians,” for PreK-12 public school students in
Hampden County. Through improved coordination and increased resources brought together by PRISM
members, successful programs will be targeted more effectively for identified students in need. For
example, GEAR UP provides a wide range of summer programming, and the Emerging Scientists summer
camp could be disseminated as one of Gear Up’s offerings. Through PRISM, local colleges and employers
may be able to leverage existing Gear Up programming to further STEM Pipeline objectives for the entire
Pioneer Valley region, for example, by having more faculty from local colleges provide content and
activities for inservice teachers and school students.
5. Establishment of PRISM teacher and student awards for PreK-12 teachers and students in recognition of
outstanding achievement in science and mathematics as made evident through various teacher initiatives
and student accomplishments.
6. Promotion of “Service Learning in Science and Mathematics” in college-level science and mathematics
courses.
7. The establishment of an AmeriCorps Support Team to assist with PRISM sponsored events, activities,
and programs. SC has an active AmeriCorps Program of graduate students providing 900 hours per
academic year, through 2008-09.
8. In Year 3, a “PRISM Summit of STEM Best Practices for the Pioneer Valley,” hosted by Holyoke
Community College, and sponsored with the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. PRISM-member
employers will provide financial sponsorships to support the one-day event, at which they will be able to
showcase their involvements to the community.
9. Working with the PVSTEMNET lead agency (UMass), create an online directory of contacts and material
resources for STEM best practices, located on or linked to from the main PVSTEMNET Webpage.
DRAFT – November 14, 2006 page 2 of 6
PVSTEMNET PIPELINE FUND GRANT PROPOSAL
SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE – Lead Contact DRAFT
Pipeline Fund Goal: Increase the number of Massachusetts students who prepare for and enter
STEM careers/ increase student’s interest in STEM subjects.
Direct programming: $25,000/year x 3 years
1) Proposal: STEM Summer Camp “Emerging Scientists” (Springfield College example)
Theme: Math, Science, and Computer technology
Participants: 25 students at the middle school level (6- 8 grade)
Professors of STEM disciplines (e.g., Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science from
Springfield College) will lead middle school students in a series of science-related activities for
one week during the summer. Lessons will be designed to make STEM subjects exciting for
young people, toward the goal that they will choose challenging science-oriented courses in high
school and consider a career in a STEM field. Activities will take place each day from
9 a.m. - 4 p.m., with a half hour lunch break. Each day, college faculty who specialize in the
appropriate discipline will team-teach the day’s activities, with the help of two college aides.
One or more PRISM colleges may offer a summer camp each year. Sample topics are shown:
Subject Activity
Mathematics Stock Market Game
Computer Science HTML Web Design
Game Development and Programming
Biology/Mathematics Activities with leaves and patterns
Chemistry Forensic science
Growing Crystals
Environmental Science/ Field Trips to East Camus at S.C.
Physical Science Numerous ecology projects (tree identification, water pollution, etc.)
Physical Science How were the pyramids built? (simple machines)
Green car- solar and hydrogen fuel cell technology
Draft Budget: GEAR UP may provide matching funds for some line items.
Item Cost
Faculty Instructors 2 @ $500/day x 5 days = $5,000
Student Aides 2 @ $100/day x 5 days = $1,000
Lunches , snacks $10/lunch x 29 people x 5 days = $1,450
Field Trips to East Campus 2 round trip bus rentals @ $500 = $1,000
Curriculum materials and supplies Minimum $1,000
TOTAL Minimum $9,450
Camp Evaluator: $500/event, but no more than $50/hour. The evaluator for PVSTEMNET will be
used as resources allow, avoiding this additional expense to the network.
Total Summer Camp = $10,000 a year (x 3 years)
DRAFT – November 14, 2006 page 3 of 6
PVSTEMNET PIPELINE FUND GRANT PROPOSAL
SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE – Lead Contact DRAFT
2) After school programs:
After school programs may include series of STEM subject activities for middle school students.
Student transportation costs are not included in this budget; GEAR UP may be able to fund a portion of
student transportation costs. The Springfield Public Schools can provide afterschool buses and safe
transport to students’ homes during the school year, within Springfield.
Item Cost for 10 meetings/year
Faculty Instructors (2 instructors/meeting) 10 2@ $50/hour/instructor= $ 200 for each
meetings @2 hours/each meeting, for instructions $2,000
development of the activities: $2,000
Students Aides (Majors) $10/hour/student aide
2 students aides $800
Curriculum materials and supplies $1,000
Transportation @$ 400/each session (?) $4,000
Total cost $9,800
Evaluator: Up to $500 per year to evaluate all afterschool programs coordinated by PRISM. The evaluator
for PVSTEMNET will be used as resources allow, avoiding this additional expense to the network.
3) “STEM Day” for high school girls (organized at least twice/year)
Item Cost for 2 meetings/year
Faculty Instructors 2 meetings/year 5@ $50/hour/instructor - $750 (for 3 hours meeting)
- $1,500/year
Students Aides (Majors) Possibly @$10/hour $1,000
Lunch (20 participants + instructors +students 35 @10/lunch/person $700
aides-majors)
Transportation 2 @$400/each event $800
Total cost $ 4,000
INKIND PROGRAMMING – PRISM Partner contributions (examples)
Exposure to diverse role models in STEM - Career day for college majors and high school students,
featuring PRISM employer and workforce partners in the Greater Springfield/Holyoke/Pioneer Valley
region.
Remedial and supplemental instruction program - Development and instruction of the remedial and
supplemental courses for college STEM majors. This may include developing and instructing a course or
courses: (1) “Mathematics, Science, Technology and Modeling” or (2) “Innovative Technologies in
Mathematics and Science,” etc.
Linkage with Springfield High Schools. Gear Up and MassMutual both provide this type of tutoring
program; the PRISM group will help to ensure that efforts are not duplicated for the same target
populations of students.
DRAFT – November 14, 2006 page 4 of 6
DRAFT
November 20, 2006
Allan Feldman
PVSTEMNET Regional Pipeline
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Dear Dr. Feldman:
This letter confirms American International College’s (AIC’s) commitment to participating in the Pioneer Valley
PreK-16 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Regional Network (PV STEMNET), and their PRISM
initiative co-led by American International College and Holyoke Community College. Dr. Vickie Hess is our lead
contact on the overall Project, Dr. Jack Barocas will Co-chair the PRISM business collaborative outreach initiative
and Esta Sobey will lead the 2008 AIC “Emerging Scientist” STEM MCAS summer enrichment camp component at
AIC.
We are pleased to be involved as founding members of PRISM – Partners in Revitalizing Interest in Science and
Math. The scope of PRISM is inclusive of the full range of STEM disciplines. We are committed to furthering this
collaborative effort focused on cultivating and maintaining industry/employer/workforce sustainability for
PVSTEMNET Pipeline objectives and activities.
As funds are made available, we are prepared to offer the following Scope of Work under a subcontract with
PVSTEMNET, the regional STEM Pipeline Network:
American International College (AIC) will offer a STEM MCAS enrichment camp for 40 (2 classrooms) 9 th -
11th graders, in Summer 2008. Professors of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics will develop and
lead a theme-based exploration that integrates the disciplines to address an area that will engage students. The
program will run for one week (five days) during July. PRISM partners will provide real-world connections
between camp activities and STEM related careers, with MCAS preparation woven throughout the program.
Activities will take place each day from 9 AM - 4 PM with a half hour lunch break. Daily, an AIC faculty
member who specializes in the appropriate discipline will lead the activity. He or she will be assisted by a
second professor (possibly from a collaborating college) and two student aides.
AIC will receive program support for faculty instructors, student aides, lunches, field trip transportation,
materials, and staff time for coordination. Additional support for these activities will come from in-kind
contributions of time by participating AIC faculty and/or staff. AIC will provide the venue for the camp at no
cost as an in-kind contribution and will provide $45,500 in scholarships to camp participants. PRISM will
pursue other funding sources to continue offering the STEM enrichment camp in succeeding summers.
AIC brings a variety of strengths to the PV STEMNET partnership, including commitment to serving the Pioneer
Valley region, especially the high-need, urban minority community of Springfield. The College, for over 15 years,
has been a host site for the annual MATHCOUNTS competition, sponsored by the Connecticut Valley Association
of Professional Engineers, has a long term after-school mentoring program with the Homer Street Elementary
School, and for 6 years has kicked off National Chemistry Week with a day long, hands-on-activities program at the
Holyoke Mall with over 100 people stopping by the table. The Connecticut Valley Section of the American
Chemical Society sponsored this event, where school-age children donned lab coats, goggles, and gloves, and
prepared silly putty and slime. For the past two years, AIC has coordinated a six week long “Rising 9 th Grader’s”
summer enrichment program for Springfield Public School children, which encompasses reading, math and science
curriculum. These are but a few of the STEM community focused activities already being supported by AIC. We
fully support the goals of this proposal, and enthusiastically look forward to being a full partner in this PRISM
initiative.
Sincerely,
Vickie Hess
Dean of the School of Arts & Science
DRAFT – November 14, 2006 page 5 of 6
DRAFT
November 15, 2006
Allan Feldman
PVSTEMNET Regional Pipeline
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Dear Dr. Feldman,
This letter confirms that the GEAR UP Program of Valley Opportunity Council is committed
to participating in the Pioneer Valley PreK-16 Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics Regional Network (PV STEMNET), and their PRISM initiative co-led by
Springfield College, American International College, and Holyoke Community College. Marie
Silver, our Special Projects Coordinator, is our lead contact for both PV STEMNET and PRISM
and will work closely with the partners and our GEAR UP schools in Holyoke and Springfield to
deliver STEM programs to students.
We are pleased to be involved as founding members of PRISM – Partners in Revitalizing Interest
in Science and Math. We are committed to furthering this collaborative effort focused on
cultivating and maintaining industry/employer/workforce sustainability for PVSTEMNET
Pipeline objectives and activities.
The VOC GEAR UP program can offer a variety of services to the programs envisioned in the
PRISM proposal. They include recruiting student participants, assisting in transportation to
events, coordination of summer programs, and outreach to community partners within
Springfield and Holyoke. The GEAR UP program has been offering quality programming to
students at 2 middle schools and 4 high schools in Springfield and Holyoke for seven years,
focusing on college preparedness, academic skills development, and career awareness. We see
PRISM and the programs it encompasses as a logical extension of the work we are doing and an
exciting opportunity to coordinate our efforts with others in the Greater Springfield area. We
look forward to collaborating with PRISM in the coming years.
Sincerely,
Jane Baatz
Director of Education Services
Valley Opportunity Council
cc: Marie Silver, Special Projects Coordinator, VOC
Ronnie Booxbaum, GEAR UP Local Director, VOC
Jo Corro, Gear UP State Director, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
Dr. Linda Marston, Director of Grants & Sponsored Programs, Springfield College
DRAFT – November 14, 2006 page 6 of 6