The Expand Energy STEM Education Fund, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), provides targeted funding for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education initiatives within public K-12 schools in Belmont, Guernsey, and Monroe counties. This grant program seeks to foster deeper STEM learning and expand access to enhanced educational experiences in rural Appalachian Ohio communities by offering mini-grants to educators and districts.
Established to address educational disparities and promote transformative classroom innovation, the fund supports public school teachers and school districts by financing STEM-based materials, student projects, experiential learning opportunities, and technology integration. Typical grant activities have included support for robotics competitions, engineering design, physics labs, interdisciplinary projects combining science and art, and energy exploration kits. The focus is on applied learning that deepens student engagement and improves academic outcomes.
The 2025 grant cycle is currently open, with applications accepted until Tuesday, November 18. Grant requests of up to $1,000 are expected, though larger requests will be considered. Funding decisions prioritize the implementation of classroom-ready STEM activities that show clear potential for impact and alignment with curriculum goals. Educators must apply through FAO’s online grant portal. New users must create an account, while returning users can log in and apply directly via the “Available Grants” section.
Past recipients include Cambridge City Schools, East Guernsey Local Schools, and the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District, with funded projects ranging from drone competitions and physics labs to prairie restoration and hands-on math instruction. Projects have emphasized student-led design, interdisciplinary learning, and collaborations between schools and local communities.
The fund is intended to serve as a catalyst for deeper STEM integration within public education settings and to ensure that students in Appalachian Ohio have equitable access to modern scientific tools and thinking. For questions, applicants can contact FAO via grants@ffao.org or call 740.753.1111.
Focus on hands-on, innovative, or interdisciplinary learning; show alignment with curriculum; link activities to student outcomes; provide a clear, concise budget.
