Biogen Idec Foundation has extended the deadline to Friday, January 17 for teachers and schools to apply for Ignite the Power of STEM grants.   A total of $50,000 — up to 25 grants of $2000 for teachers or $5000 for schools — will be available to support science education programs and projects run by elementary, middle and high schools in Massachusetts.  Applicants must be full-time professional personnel from Massachusetts public school districts or charter schools that had at least one individual registered or in attendance at the Massachusetts STEM Summit on November 13, 2013.  (Newton Public Schools had several teachers and administrators in attendance.)  Programs should be designed to:

• Promote science literacy in innovative ways among students
• Enable teachers to bring new, exciting hands-on science experiences to their students
• Encourage under-served youth with potential to pursue science as a career
• Create excitement about STEM topics within the classroom setting
• Inspire students to consider pursuing STEM careers