Educators can start applying for SRP classroom grants

Arizona teachers can now apply for SRP classroom grants of up to $5,000, which have benefited two Queen Creek schools this year.

Every year, the SRP Classroom Grants Program offers STEM grants of up to $5,000 for school projects that incorporate creative teaching strategies in math and science, according to a press release from SRP.  

The company also provides social science grants of up to $2,500 for history, geography, civics, government and economics education.  

Teachers can use the grant money to buy any equipment and supplies that will support their curriculum. 

For the 2024-2025 school year, SRP funded more than $180,000 for STEM and social science projects, including problem-solving through robotics, artificial intelligence and hands-on physics experiments.  

The Queen Creek Unified School District announced in September that staff from Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary and Crismon High School received STEM grants from SRP to fund projects students are undertaking this school year.

At Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary, Administrative Assistant Shannon Lines and Counselor Tiffany Chamberlain used their SRP grant money to purchase Ozobots for their students.

Ozobots are small, programmable robots that are used to introduce younger students to the fundamentals of coding. Students can interact directly with these robots and program them with colors to follow sequences.

At Crismon High, Kaesha Neil, an honors science instructor, used the grant money to purchase Vernier sensor equipment for AP biology students to collect quantitative data on oxygen, carbon dioxide and ethanol production during the making of and breakdown of food in plants, yeast and animals, according to the district.

All educators in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Pinal County, Gila County, Yavapai County, Page and St. Johns and NGS community chapters are eligible. 

Teachers can apply for grants through Feb. 28 at www.srp.net/grants. Applications must be completed by a certified teacher.