June 01, 2016
The OtterCares Foundation is accepting grant applications for its second annual Innovation Station Fund. The Innovation Station Fund supports the creation of Innovation Stations in schools and nonprofits in Northern Colorado and San Diego.
The Innovation Station Fund was created in 2015 with funds raised by employees at Otter Products and Blue Ocean Enterprises. Last year, employees raised over $100,000 and provided grants to 19 schools for the creation of spaces where students are able to use hands-on tools and resources to invent, explore and create. Each school’s Innovation Station is unique with teachers and administrators designing their Innovation Stations to meet the needs and goals of their school and their students.
Why should you apply for an Innovation Station Grant?:
- Innovative education helps students learn new skills and formulate innovative ideas that will help prepare them for 21st century jobs.
- Innovation helps stimulate the economy! We want to help support the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators who will strengthen our economy and create lasting change in our communities!
- Kids need to learn how to problem solve, how to fail and make progress! Innovation Stations are safe, educational spaces where students feel comfortable experimenting, learning to fail forward and celebrating successes as they work through the design thinking process.
- All students learn differently. Some students thrive in a lecture environment where some need the opportunity to work with their hands in order to feel engaged in learning. Innovation Stations give students the opportunity to experiencing learning in a different way!
A few things that you should know before you apply:
- Your school or nonprofit must be in Northern Colorado or San Diego.
- Your Innovation Station will be for educational purposes. We created the Innovation Station Fund to help support schools and nonprofits in their efforts to prepare students for 21st century jobs while providing with hands-on learning experiences.
- Your application should have a continuity plan for sustaining your Innovation Station. The grant you receive should be looked at a “seed money” and will help with the initial investment of your space.
- Who’s your champion? Have a person or a team designated as your champion for your Innovation Station to help implement your plan and be your go-to point of contact.
- You must meet the application deadline of September 15th to be considered. Additional information can be found here.
How to apply:
Visit our Innovation Station Fund page and fill out the questionnaire to be redirected to the grant application!
We look forward to hearing about your Innovation Station! Have questions or need more information? Contact us today!