Presented by Eileen Gorman, PTA President, Hollin Meadows Science and Math Focus PTA, VA; Denise Cross, Assistant Principal, Bonny Kate Elementary, TN; Pam Korithoski, Advocacy Chair, Archer Elementary School, FL; and Rachel Fishman, Programs and Partnerships Specialist, National PTA, VA

Sponsored by littleBits Education

Watch the Recording

Get a CE Certificate for this edWebinar Learn more

At a time when STEM enthusiasm is skyrocketing, school and library budgets are, unfortunately, tightening. As a result, they have had to keep new STEM programs and resources on their wish lists for longer than they’d like—while at the same time learning how to be creative and resourceful to obtain funding for their STEM programs.

Monetary support can come from a surprising number of sources; sometimes, all you have to do is ask. Watch littleBits in this edWebinar to discover funding options for your STEM program—from Federal and local grants to crowdfunding and corporate sponsorships. Listen to panelists from local PTAs across the country about best practices for applying for grants and to get advice from the trenches.

This recorded presentation will be of interest to K-8 teachers, librarians, and school and district leaders.

About the Presenters

Eileen Gorman is the president of the PTA at Hollin Meadows Elementary School, a Title 1 K-6 grade school in Alexandria, VA supporting nearly 700 diverse students. Hollin Meadows Elementary School has a very active school community that loves hands-on events where parents, students, families and friends can learn, create and build together.

Denise Cross has been an educator for 22 years. She served 14 years in the classroom, four years as an instructional coach, and the last four years as an assistant principal. As an educator, she is always eager to support classroom instruction and best practices. This is what has led her to become involved in the STEM/STEAM programs at the elementary level. She is also a wife and mother of four grown children. She and her husband, along with their three unruly dogs and two independent cats, live in a rural area of Blount County, which is south of Knox county, on Fort Lake Loudon.

Pam Korithoski has a BSc in biochemistry and was a territory manager in the scientific sales industry. Since having children, she has been involved with PTA since 2012 when her son started kindergarten. She has been involved in different aspects at her local unit PTA and when an opportunity came up to help recharter the County Council PTA, she was elected as Secretary. This year Pam was elected County Council President. She has encouraged all of the PTA’s in her county to apply for the STEM and Invention grants because with these grants they are able to give amazing opportunities to children and families that may not feel comfortable in this area.

Rachel Fishman is the programs and partnerships specialist at National PTA. She primarily works on the STEM + Families initiative, helping empower PTAs to expand their STEM efforts. Prior to working at National PTA, Rachel worked at Goodwill Industries International and was an AmeriCorps VISTA at United Way Worldwide and The Reading Connection. Rachel holds a B.A. in English from Elon University and is currently pursuing her M.A. in communication from Johns Hopkins University. Her programmatic interests include scaling, resource accessibility and program design. She enjoys spending her free time exploring the many parks in the D.C. area with her boyfriend and rambunctious dog.

Join the STEM Learning: Full STEAM Ahead community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

littleBits makes technology kits that are fun, easy-to-use, and infinitely creative. The kits are composed of electronic building blocks that are color-coded, magnetic, and make complex technology simple and fun. Together they’re interchangeable in millions of different ways to empower kids to invent anything – from a sibling alarm, to a wireless robot, to a digital instrument.