REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Enhancing Marine Science Curriculum for K-12 Formal and Informal Educators

The Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) is excited to announce a call for proposals to develop online or online-accessible K-12 marine science curricula and activities. SECOORA’s mission is to bring people, ocean observing technology, and data together to advance understanding and management of coastal ocean ecosystems and communities in the Southeast US. Our region covers North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

Opportunity

SECOORA is seeking innovative proposals to create curriculum materials that effectively engage K-12 students to enhance their understanding of our coastal and ocean environments. The marine science curricula and/or activities must be online-accessible so they can be implemented by parents, teachers, and other educators. All materials developed through this request for proposals will be made available on SECOORA’s classroom activities webpage.

This award value is $8,500. Proposals are due 5:00 PM ET on Friday, October 27, 2023.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include individuals from K-12 schools, public or private universities, institutions, non-governmental organizations, companies, or government agencies, located in the SECOORA region (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida). Co-PIs and/or collaborators can be outside of the SECOORA region. Informal and formal educators are encouraged to apply.

Incorporating Classroom Insight

To ensure the quality and relevance of the proposed educational materials, this specific opportunity requires applicants to outline a clear process for obtaining ongoing feedback from educators, curriculum coordinators, and/or students. This partnership and feedback loop is intended to provide perspective throughout the project’s duration and ensure activities align with educational needs and expectations.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

SECOORA is strongly committed to building inclusive research, extension, communication, and education programs that serve people with unique backgrounds, circumstances, needs, perspectives, and ways of thinking.

This specific opportunity seeks proposals that will increase participation of underrepresented communities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) educational activities. The proposed project must identify how the project will engage participation of underrepresented communities (such as Title 1 schools and organizations that work in underserved communities) in the final deliverables.

How to Apply

Please submit your Proposal and Appendices 1-4 as a single PDF document. Appendices 5, 6, and 7 will be individually uploaded. All materials must be submitted via egrants.secoora.org. The submission deadline is 5:00 PM ET on Friday, October 27.

Proposals must follow the required proposal format. Proposals that do not follow the required format will not be evaluated. All funds must be used within one year of the project’s start date. The anticipated start date is January 5, 2024. Final curriculum materials must be submitted to SECOORA by January 15, 2025.

You must complete the registration process in order to upload a proposal to egrants.secoora.org. This is a two-part verification system (phone and email confirmations are required). Once you have registered, please select the Request for Proposals to which you are applying, complete the required fields, and upload your proposal materials.

Questions Regarding Application Solicitation

For any questions related to this Request for Proposals, please contact communications@secoora.org.