STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
2014-2015 Proposal for Funding
Kids First at Sunset View
(updated April 2014)
What is STEM at Sunset View?
An innovative initiative which builds on the foundation of the current curriculum; while introducing
learning opportunities that embrace STEM concepts.
Overview
Starting in 2011-2012 and expanding through 2012-2013, Kids First at Sunset View has created a STEM
committee to address innovative learning opportunities. The initial concept for STEM at Sunset View was
the consideration of creating a STEM lab or to convert the existing computer lab into a multi-functional lab.
This concept embraced the scope of a technology lab and project based STEM learning opportunities. In
order to find the appropriate solution for Sunset View Elementary the committee quickly decided to explore
various options rather than solely focusing on the existing computer lab. The committee has taken a ground
up approach to bringing STEM learning into the existing curriculum and teachers have found various ways
to accomplish this objective.
STEM learning will take place in various locations at the school and a part of this learning will be the
science focus with the current FOSS kits provided by the district. The FOSS kits and current curriculum are
one aspect of how STEM can be infused into the curriculum. As the future state standards address the need
for STEM, it is the goal of the STEM committee to find the resources for Sunset View to have a cutting
edge.
An ongoing effort is to examine the computer lab. This will look at the current functionality as well as the
opportunity to merge the computer lab into a “SmartLab” facility that can support both STEM and computer
education. Currently the computer lab (including the staffing of a computer tech) is funded by Kids First.
This position is included in our budget proposal although it has already been approved for 2014-2015.
The holistic review is timed perfectly with the budget planning for Kids First.
Some key points of success for 2012-14 (last two years):
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Computer Lab Refurbishment. This effort included furniture, paint, carpet, cabinetry, and a new
color printer. This project is complete. All that remains is some decoration for the walls.
Grade Level experiments/Science & Engineering kits
Teacher Development – June, 2012 Technology conference
Family Science Night – attended by 130 students and families 3 years in a row!
Robotics at the 2nd grade (primary focus) through 4th grades (through lab repeated exposure)

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Microscopes purchased for all grades – 5 total
Planning Days including analysis of integrating lab into future science curriculum.
Status and Spending
STEM spending to date has been limited to funding grade level meetings for teachers and the purchase of
related resources for unique experiments. Additional funds have been spent for a family science night which
included various scientific demonstrations.
Capital funds, drawn from the Kids First reserves and not part of the regular expense budget, have been used
to purchase new furniture, paint, carpet, and cabinets for the computer lab. The furnishings required for the
lab were purchased and installed in April, 2013. Electrical work, new carpet and new storage furniture were
completed in the fall of 2013. In the spring of 2014, we added 15 laptops for the lap to be completely
independent in its ability to service the Lego WeDo robotics program. 15 netbooks purchased in 2013 will
be allocated to the 2nd grade program for computer literacy and in-classroom WeDo Robotics.
Strengths of Current Strategy
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Created by teachers to match the curriculum
Careful approach ensures Sustainability
Ability for creative control
Potential Threats or Gaps of Current Strategy
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Addressing all the STEM disciplines (ie Robotics or Engineering)
Consistency
Volunteer Driven - limits the time commitment & expertise
Challenge of creating a solid plan for scope & sequence of curriculum
Recommendations & Proposed Budget
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Continue existing grade level work by teachers based on FOSS & other related teaching concepts
Involve ourselves with the common core science curriculum as it emerges, to provide support via
Kids First, whether it be through enhanced equipment and supplies or through the use of the lab.
Invest in our teachers – various training opportunities
Enlist experts in the design and curriculum development
Establish before-school STEM elective program, with a faculty sponsor, open enrollment, and a
lottery if needed to limit enrollment.
Finish transforming the computer lab into a “SmartLab” that embraces both computer lab functions
and innovative STEM future learning opportunities. *
o Computer Skills – including keyboarding, visual multi-media
o Snap Circuits – the science of electricity
o Vernier Science
o We Do Robotics
o Collaborative Science & Scientific Method
Project Proposal Grid and Formal Budget Request
Project Title:
Date Proposed:
Project Contact:
Phone #:
Email:
STEM Program, including Computer Lab
April 21, 2014
Tim Lacey
619-459-0977
tim@laceyland.com
Proposal Description:
Continue the efforts of the STEM committee as described in
the above project overview and proposal for 2014-2015.
Main points: develop additional grade level STEM
programs, provide teacher training and support, encourage
more use of the lab facilities, and provide technology
support for Sunset View.
Related or similar
Projects/Programs at
Sunset View and their
costs (if known):
The STEM program is absorbing the Garden efforts as a life
science project. STEM include the computer lab and the
budgets for technology hardware, software, and IT
consulting.
Amount your proposal
would spend this year:
$72,000, of which $46,500 has already been approved to
maintain the computer lab tech.
Above cost divided by
450 (cost/SVE student)
$160.00 for STEM, including the computer tech.
Percentage of students
affected by this
proposal: (or specify
which students are
affected)
Please provide an
explanation of the
proposal and a
justification for the
level of funding
requested:
Example: a $9,000 project is $20/student
100%
Example: third graders, or 20% of the student population
The proposal is above. The justification is simply that
STEM is a top priority for Kids First and for the parents of
Kids First. The STEM program is a multi-year effort
designed to improve the quality of science education at
Sunset View, including computer skills, life sciences,
engineering, and math programs. Continuity of the program
is critical to its success.
What are the
measurable goals for
this program?
The program’s success can be measured directly by the
increased exposure to science at all grade levels. We have
completed grade level projects for K, 2, and 4, and we hope
to address all grades in 2014-2015 as we support the
common core roll-out in science. Another measureable goal
is the quality of the science equipment and facilities at
Sunset View. A final measureable goal is the adequacy of
our ability to support technology purchases and
maintenance at Sunset View.
How can we
objectively determine if
this program, once
approved, is performing
as expected? What
should we be watching
for to determine
success?
We regularly meet with the teachers to determine the
effectiveness of new programs and new facility changes.
We will need to seek quality over quantity, and there is the
possibility that a new program within STEM may be halted
in the future if it does not provide a worthwhile
improvement. Family involvement at Family Science Night
provided positive feedback for our efforts, and the Bid
Down at the Dinner Dance shows parent support for our
goals. The success of STEM is best determined by the staff
at Sunset View and by parents, who may be invited to take
part in STEM activities in a manner similar to VAPA and
who can then determine whether their children are receiving
a benefit in line with the cost of this program. Also,
participation in before school programs in 2014-2015 and
interest in those programs will indicate whether they are a
productive use of our time and money.
Who can best evaluate
it and using what
criteria?
Teachers and staff, ideally from within and outside the
STEM committee, should be able to provide an assessment
of how well the program is meeting its objectives.
Has staff been
consulted? If so, who?
If this is being
proposed by teachers,
has the project been
vetted with the staff
and with the principal?
Were any concerns
expressed?
A large staff contingent is on the STEM committee, which
oversees all aspects of the STEM program. Jackie McCabe,
principal, joins two or more teachers at each meeting. This
year we have only had one STEM meeting, given the freeze
on grade level spending associated with the common core
roll-out. Next year regular meetings of the STEM
committee will ensure that staff is constantly involved. We
also meet with the curriculum development leaders at each
grade level.
Proposed Budget Detail
Program Category
STEM
Family
Night
Description
Supplies and Materials
Before School STEM Club
Lego After School Robotics Club
2014-2015 budget 2013-2014 Budget
requested
Funds Used
2013-2014 Budget Notes
Family Science Night 2014 actually generated net
$
500.00 $
(200.00) $
1,000.00 proceeds to offset amortized expenses
$
1,000.00 $
$
$
$
1,500.00
Teacher
Curriculum Development Costs - Planning Days
Training and
Planning
Staff Training and Development through
outside consultants, conferences, etc.
Grade Level Grade Level Projects
Programs
Lego Robotics for Computer Lab
Garden Life Materials and Supplies
Sciences
$
5,300.00
$
5,300.00
$
$
1,000.00
$
-
$
$
7,500.00
$
350.00
$
$
200.00
$
2,154.00
$
5,000.00 $1,500 per grade for 2014-2015
For spare parts as needed. Purchased 15 kits for
400.00 Grades 3/4 in 2013-2014.
$
1,250.00
$
1,250.00
$
1,250.00
Guest Lectures and Outside Programs
$
STEM
Software
and Other
General
General
-
$
$
250.00
$
2,500.00
$
2,750.00
Technology Software, NOT for STEM lab or grade level STEM
Software
activities, includes Learning A-Z and RAZ kids
one year site license
$
2,500.00
$
2,429.00
$
2,500.00
2,000.00
$
864.00
$
2,250.00
Toner ca rtri dges
1,222.00
$
1,750.00
Col or La s er Pri nter for the La b
$
1,000.00
Technology Hardware budget, including misc. Netbook
Hardware
accessories to complement i21 equipment
(mouse pads, mice, headphones, stands)
Color Printer (district procured) for computer
lab projects, including 4th grade powerpoint
Desktop Computer (potential for self-installed
software)
General
$
This was proposed for 2013-2014 but not
implemented. We have cut funding requested
750.00 for 2014-2015.
Asset Tags to track STEM and computer
purchased items
Software for STEM Lab or grade level STEM
projects
General
250.00
5,000.00 Request 2 planning days for 2014-2015.
Consulting, summer scholars program,
conferences
Computer
Lab
Assistant
Tech.
Support
Contracted
$
$
-
$
$
-
$
-
Tech. for Computer/STEM Lab
$
46,500.00
$
$
1,250.00
$
43,000.00
$
$35,827 Approved at March 2013 KFSV Board
Meeting. From Jackie: PeopleSoft HCM shows
her current salary to be $22,960 based on 30 hours
per week and a 3% pay raise. Avg. benefits for
next year are $14,261 fixed (medical and dental),
and 24.6% variable. The total should be around
43,000.00 $43,000 plus/minus benefit cost adjustments.
IT Support for school staff and Computer Lab
-
$
2,000.00
More computers a re now on s upport contra cts from the
di s tri ct. . . IT cos ts s hri nki ng a s s hi fted to di s tri ct.
2014-2015 budget 2013-2014 Budget
requested
Funds Used
2013-2014 Budget
TOTAL STEM EXPENSE BUDGET
$ 72,000.00
CAPITAL BUDGET - Taken against Kids First Reserve
Build-Out
Capital Budget for furniture, electrical
upgrades, carpet, paint, …
Cabinets and Storage Systems
15 laptops for Computer Lab
$ 56,369.00
$ 70,150.00
$
$
$
$
5,455.00
5,000.00
10,000.00
2,500.00
$
$
12,713.00 $
2014-2015 budget 2013-2014 Budget
requested
Funds Used
2013-2014 Budget
TOTAL STEM CAPITAL BUDGET
$
-
$ 23,168.00
$ 12,500.00
Unus ed ba l a nce from 2012-2013 to cover pa i nt a nd
ca rpet a nd el ectri ca l , s i nce compl eti on i s pos tponed to
l a te s ummer 2013.
Money a l l oca ted from rema i ni ng unus ed budget i tems ,
a s per boa rd pres enta ti on a nd Di nner Da nce Bi d Down
a ucti on.