RECOMMENDATION:
That
the report entitled National Science and Engineering Research Council
Program Grant Use (NSERC) be received;
And
that Council approve the objectives for the project, as outlined in this
report;
And that the Museum be authorized to allocate portions of its approved operating
budget allocations to support the work outlined in this report.
PURPOSE:
To inform Council regarding the Museum’s proposal to:
· Create engineering-based after-school experiences for underserved youth;
· Strengthen Town partnerships with schools and community organizations that service underserved youth;
·
To obtain Council approval to direct portions of the approved grant funding, and operating budget allocations to support the work outlined in this report.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In September, 2004, an application for a grant was submitted to the National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). A grant in the amount of $16,600 has been approved by NSERC in support of the CanDesign pilot project. The purpose for the project is to leverage the Museum’s basic operating funding to implement a pilot project to extend the Museum’s outreach programming through:
· Creation of engineering-based after-school experiences for underserved youth;
· Strengthen Town partnerships with schools and community organizations that service underserved youth as described in the Markham Museum Master Plan;
· And train Museum staff on informal science programming.
Funding of the project includes allocating to this project funds budgeted in the Museum’s 2005 Operating Budget.
BACKGROUND:
One of the key recommendations in the Markham Museum
Master Plan is to seek avenues of partnership with the York Region School
Board. The purpose of a closer partnership with the board at all levels would
be primarily to encourage greater use of Museum programming to support
curriculum objectives. Further, the Master Plan recommends development of
programs that are interactive and provide experiences that are not duplicated
in the class room or in other local heritage village facilities.
Through this initiative, children identified as under-performing will have the opportunity to strengthen science, math and technology skills and pave the way for future study, success and employment in science and engineering. This grant will extend the capacity of the museum to serve children with multiple-risk factors and strengthen our relationships with the formal education system and community organizations.
This pilot programme is based on the prior successful
programme Design It! Engineering in after
School Programs, a national museum program in the
An application for funding was sent to the National
Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) in September 2004. NSERC has awarded
If
Council approves proceeding with The CanDesign project, Museum and project
partner staff will confirm with the Canadian Association of Science Centres
(CASC) that a plenary session at the 2005 conference will be presented. The CASC were consulted on the proposal and
expressed interest in having a conference session developed to inform delegates
of this innovative public program.
The pilot program in 2005 will also allow time to develop additional partnerships and funding sources to allow expansion of the number of after school program spaces and the development of a specialized summer camp program serving the same group of children.
OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:
The
schedule of work and implementation must begin prior to the National Science
and Engineering Research Council grant deadline September 2005, in order to
evaluate the pilot and apply for the full funding in 2006.
If
Council does not approve the receipt of the federal funding the Museum will
inform the minister and the funding will be returned to the government.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The total project budget as
presented in the grant application is $34,056.
As described above, project
funding from the Federal government will be matched entirely by funds budgeted
in the Museum’s 2005 operating budget for full and part-time salaries and
travel expenses.
The assumptions for allocation of wages from the Program Coordinator’s annual salary are based on an estimate of the time required to advise and supervise the pilot project in addition to the time required for grants administration.
The Museum proposes to allocate the revenue to account 520 521 8401 and fund project expenses through existing Museum visitor experience operating accounts.
The following chart indicates the operating account accounts impacted by this project:
|
|
|
NSERC
Grant |
Town of 2005 Museum
Budget |
|
Consultant workshop
training |
3 day-training on curriculum by consultant workshop expenses and partner meetings Account 520-998-5250 |
7,000 |
|
|
Project Staff |
Part-time staff @12/hr, 24 hrs/wk, 8 months= 9,210 plus benefits @ 10.6 %= 9,762 Account 520 521-3010 Programme Coordinator @15% Account 520-998-3006 |
5,097 |
4,665 8,235 |
|
Promotion |
Promoting project as potential sponsorship and funding opportunity Account 520-521-5835 |
1,000 |
|
|
Project Materials |
Supplies for after school programs Account 520-521-4210 |
2,000 |
|
|
Administration and
Transportation |
Transportation to and from after school sites Account 520-998-3500 Account 520-998-4002 |
1,503 |
556 |
|
Presenting at CASC |
Annual museum conference June 05 Account 520-998-5200 |
|
4,000 |
|
Total |
|
16,600 |
17,456 |
|
GRAND TOTAL |
|
|
$34,056 |
BUSINESS UNITS
CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Finance
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix
“A” – Letter of Funding from National Science and Engineering Research Council
|
|
|
|
|
Barbara
M. Roth, R.D.M.R. Director,
Recreation and Culture Services |
|
Jim
Sales Commissioner
of Community and Fire Services |
Q:\Recreation\SITES\SIT010\Reports\NSERC.doc
