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What do cardboard boat races, worm farms, robot coding and solar car design have in common?

They are all recent classroom projects funded by STEM mini-grants from APS and the Phoenix Suns.

And, effective immediately, Arizona K-12 teachers in public and charter schools within APS's service territory are invited to apply for STEM mini-grants for the 2016-17 school year, according to a press release.

Grants will be awarded for teachers to implement innovative projects that help bring STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math) to life.

For more than a decade, APS and the Phoenix Suns have partnered to promote STEM education in Arizona schools by offering $50,000 in mini-grants for hands-on projects focused on the STEM subjects, the release stated.

Grants of up to $2,500 each may be awarded, with a total of up to $50,000 available for the 2016-17 school year.

"When students get to experience STEM subjects through interactive projects, something special happens," said Tina Marie Tentori, executive director of the APS Foundation, in the release.

"Whether the project is growing food through aquaponics and selling it at a farmers market, as was done by the Show Low High School STEM Club, or using lichen gardens to study climate change, a project taken on by seventh-grade science students at Flagstaff's Northland Preparatory Academy, interactive learning creates a spark that often inspires students to pursue additional STEM studies, and eventually rewarding jobs in STEM-related careers."

Teachers are invited to visit aps.com/corporategiving for program procedures, criteria and STEM mini-grants applications. There, they also will find a list of project summaries from the 2015-16 school year.

Applications will be accepted online through Oct. 5, and recipients will be notified of the status of their application by Nov. 8, the release stated.

For more information, teachers may contact Laura McBride, APS senior corporate giving specialist, at 602-250-2702 or by e-mail at Laura.McBride@aps.com.

The Scottsdale Independent is published monthly and mailed to 75,000 homes and businesses in Scottsdale.

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APS, Phoenix Suns team up to provide STEM grants to teachers

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What do cardboard boat races, worm farms, robot coding and solar car design have in common? They are all recent classroom projects funded by STEM mini-grants from APS and the Phoenix Suns. And, effective immediately, Arizona K-12 teachers in public and charter schools within APS's service territory are invited to apply for STEM mini-grants for the 2016-17 school year, according to a press release.

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Grant Opportunities - Avondale Elementary School District #44

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The Arizona Community Foundation is pleased to announce its grant and scholarship distributions for the first quarter of its fiscal year. Between April 1 and June 30, 2016, a total of $11,288,979 was awarded in both discretionary and advised grants from funds of the Arizona Community Foundation and its six statewide Affiliates in Cochise, Flagstaff, the Gila Valley, Sedona, Yavapai County and Yuma.

Funds are awarded in five strategic priority areas: Health Innovations, Quality Education, Arts & Culture, Community Improvement & Development and Environment & Sustainability.

Health Innovations: This area received the largest share of grants this quarter, with $5,583,670 awarded to 513 organizations and programs in the areas of health, health care, medical research and a variety of human services. Select recipients include The Children's Center for Neurodevelopmental Studies, offering comprehensive educational, therapeutic, and habilitative programs for children and adults with autism and related disabilities; New Life Center, a temporary safe haven for families fleeing domestic violence and provider of comprehensive support programs; Jewish Genetic Diseases Center of Greater Phoenix, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness in the Valley's Jewish community regarding Jewish genetic diseases and providing carrier testing and education on these disorders; and Ability360, offering programs that empower people with disabilities to take personal responsibility to achieve self-sufficiency and independent living.

Quality Education: Education grants and scholarships totaled $3,043,054 during the quarter, including college scholarship awards totaling $511,326 for the benefit of 159 students pursuing higher education. College scholarships are awarded to Arizona students to attend a wide range of colleges, universities and technical schools in Arizona and across the United States.

Education-related grants were awarded to 172 schools, education-related nonprofit organizations and community programs. Select grant recipients include South Human Development for its Children's Developmental Center, providing an integrated team approach to meeting the needs of children from birth to 5 with developmental disabilities; Arizona Science Center for its Science on Wheels Family Science Nights, a mobile hands-on array of tabletop activities that allow K-8 students and families to explore and learn at their own pace; Good Earth Montessori School for student scholarships; Junior Achievement of Arizona; Flagstaff Public Library Foundation; and Verde Valley School for its summer college prep program.

Arts & Culture: A total of $966,389 was awarded to 103 artistic and cultural organizations across Arizona. Select recipients include Sedona Arts Center, Arizona Theatre Company, Phoenix Art Museum, Scottsdale Cultural Council, Ballet Arizona, Valley Youth Theatre, Lake Powell Concert Association, Act One Foundation, Yuma Orchestra Association, Arizona PBS, Heard Museum and Center Dance Ensemble.

Community Improvement & Development: A total of $925,376 was awarded to 137 programs in this category. Select recipients include the Center for Neighborhood Leadership which aims to strengthen and connect communities through advocacy and civic participation; Camp Verde Fire District and Montezuma Rimrock Fire District for paramedic training; Strengthen Orlando Inc. for its OneOrlando Fund established to support the families of victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting; Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Dysart Community Center and Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona.

Environment & Sustainability: A total of $771,091 was awarded to 84 organizations and programs in the areas of environmental education, renewable resources, conservation, and animal welfare. Grantees include Grand Canyon Trust, Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA, McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, Flagstaff-based Second Chance Center for Animals, Yavapai Humane Society, Feathers Foundation and Cattlegrowers Foundation.

In addition to these grants, 44 nonprofit organizations with agency endowments managed by the Arizona Community Foundation received their annual distributions, accounting for the remaining $2,468,833 distributed during the quarter.

The total awarded across all categories represents 1,212 grants and scholarships. All grants are approved or ratified by ACF's 14-member Philanthropic Services Committee, comprised of ACF Board representatives and other community leaders.

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ACF awards over $11 million in first-quarter grants and scholarships

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The Arizona Community Foundation is pleased to announce its grant and scholarship distributions for the first quarter of its fiscal year. Between April 1 and June 30, 2016, a total of $11,288,979 was awarded in both discretionary and advised grants from funds of the Arizona Community Foundation and its six statewide Affiliates in Cochise, Flagstaff, the Gila Valley, Sedona, Yavapai County and Yuma.

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CS First is a free computer science curriculum that anyone can teach. Designed for students ages 9-14 of all interests and experience levels, students learn collaboration and core computer science concepts as they create their own projects. Educators lead the way with easy-to-use lesson plans, tutorials, activities, and resources.

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CS First is a free computer science curriculum that anyone can teach. Designed for students ages 9-14 of all interests and experience levels, students learn collaboration and core computer science concepts as they create their own projects. Educators lead the way with easy-to-use lesson plans, tutorials, activities, and resources.

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SRP offers comprehensive in-service programs for educators, including workshops and ready-made curriculums about electricity and water.

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DonorsChoose.org: Support a classroom. Build a future.

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DonorsChoose.org connects teachers in high-need communities with donors who want to help.

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GoFundMe for Education: Fundraise for teachers, students, clubs and teams

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"One of the BEST ways to raise money online" Get your online donation website FREE! Online fundraising for medical expenses, volunteer trips, sports & more!

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Digital Wish is a non-profit on a mission to help teachers solve technology shortfalls in their classrooms. Apply for grants, create a wish list of technology your classroom needs, and share lesson plans and fundraising ideas with fellow educators across the country. Digital Wish also provides a searchable library of grants and a myriad of ideas for fundraising.