ERIC Number: EJ1134441
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Feb
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8148
EISSN: N/A
Crowdfunding for Elementary Science Educators
Reese, Jessica; Miller, Kurtz
Science and Children, v54 n6 p55-59 Feb 2017
The inadequate funding of science education in many school districts, particularly in underserved areas, is preventing elementary science educators from realizing the full potential of the "Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS"). Yet many elementary science teachers may be unaware that millions of dollars per year are available through crowd-funding platforms to support high-quality classroom instruction. "Crowdfunding," a type of crowdsourcing through the internet, allows teachers to acquire the necessary resources and supplies to maximize personalized learning experiences for all elementary children. Crowdsourcing and crowdfunding are both relatively new to elementary science education. The terms originated in the business community within the past 10 years but haven't yet caught on in elementary education. This article articulates a framework for crowdsourcing and crowdfunding and shares a resource idea instead of a lesson plan or unit. The resources within this article can be used for any number of lessons, units, or projects. Crowdfunding should not supplant available building and district funds. However, crowdfunding has potential to help elementary science educators deliver high-quality curriculum and instruction aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), particularly in financially distressed school buildings and districts. Crowdfunding is a way to bridge the gap between curriculum needs and financial support.
Descriptors: Elementary School Science, Elementary School Teachers, Science Teachers, Financial Support, Internet, Educational Finance, Donors
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A