Funding Tips

Participating in a field experience is a fantastic way to deepen your understanding of the geosciences while getting credit for participating in quality professional development. Here are some options for securing financial assistance to participate in field experiences.

Teachers examining fossils in Colorado

  1. Your school or school district.
    Often funding is available - but not widely advertised. Ask your department chair, principal or union as early in the school year as you can. Even a small amount can make a different. Consider approaching your administration with fellow teachers as part of a departmental effort. Make sure you go prepared i.e. know how you will be able to share your experience to enhance the teaching in your school and/or district and how you will be able to disseminate materials to other teachers. Be able to show how your attendance will greatly enhance the teaching of Earth science for all. Historically school districts have provided at least partial support for a significant fraction of our attendees. Remember, it doesn't hurt to ask!
  2. Local chapters of service clubs (Lions, Rotary etc).
    Again, be ready to reciprocate with a talk at a meeting with slides of what you did and saw and how it will enhance your students experience in the classroom.
  3. Professional Organizations.
    Many professional organizations that represent science teachers have fellowship programs or maintain listings of outside parties that support educators. National organizations to investigate include the National Earth Science Teacher’s Association (NESTA), National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT), and the National Science Teacher’s Association (NSTA). In addition, be sure to investigate the local, state and regional level subdivisions of these organizations as well as resources available through your state department of education.
  4. Fund For Teachers.
    Teachers who receive a grant through Fund For Teachers have all of their expenses paid for. Fund for Teachers enriches the personal and professional growth of teachers by recognizing and supporting them as they identify and pursue opportunities around the globe that will have the greatest impact on their practice, the academic lives of their students and on their school communities. To help teachers with the application process, Fund For Teachers offers many information sessions and webinars. Check out their calendars for events near you.