News Article

Archived News Release: January 28, 2019 - ​On Feb. 1, A2 STEAM at Northside will be awarded a $15,000 Sustaining Ann Arbor Together (SA2T) grant from the City of Ann Arbor for the development of a kindergarten-eighth grade solar curriculum.

“This is an exciting project that will engage and empower A2 STEAM youth to think about solar potential, including the possibility of onsite solar installations," said City of Ann Arbor Sustainability and Innovations Manager Missy Stults. “This program is a perfect fit for the SA2T grant program; and I look forward to seeing the seeds of inspiration that grow from this program."   

Jean Wilson, A2 STEAM middle school science teacher, shared, “We look at real world issues and problems to make our projects authentic and applicable to the world we live in. Climate Change has become a big part of that world. It is of great value to not only teach the causes, effects and evidence of climate change, but to also teach what we can do to mitigate the carbon in our atmosphere to slow the changes, and to adapt to the new realities of the changes taking place so communities can continue to live and thrive in our changing world. When we empower our children with not only information about the problem, but opportunities to be part of the solution as well, we are giving them agency. We are teaching students that they can be informed and engaged in order to make a positive impact. The units created here include a variety of approaches for understanding climate change and engaging in solutions." ​

SA2T Grant Pro​gram

On Feb. 19, 2013, Ann Arbor City Council adopted the Sustainability Framework as an element of the City of Ann Arbor Master Plan, which has four key categories: Climate and Energy Goals; Community Goals; Land Use and Access Goals; and Resource Management Goals. The SA2T grant program is intended to promote and resource community-based activities in support of the Sustainability Framework's goals. 

The City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovation oversees the SA2T program, which assists neighborhood groups to develop, resource and complete small-scale improvement projects in the city's rights-of-way or on publicly owned property, including Ann Arbor Public School property. The total annual grant program funding is $100,000. ​

Applicat​ion Process

Grant applicants must fall into one of the following categories to be eligible for a SA2T grant:

• Neighborhood associations (registered with the City of Ann Arbor Planning Services Area);

• Civic and community service associations (e.g., scouting, youth athletic associations, bicycling or rowing clubs, fraternal organizations, environmental conservancies or community gardens);

• Educational, ethnic, cultural or religious organizations (e.g., colleges, school associations, places of worship); or

• Non-profit entities.

There is an online grant application available on the city's website, which also must include the following:

• Completed and signed application form and scope of work for the project and associated technical documents;

• Project cost estimate;

• Cost-sharing proposal (if any);

• Projected maintenance costs and sources and responsibility for future maintenance costs;

• Evidence of support from impacted stakeholders; 

• Evidence that the proposed location for any temporary or fixed installation is suitable for proposed use in the city's right of way or other public land; and

• Statement describing the benefits that will result from the project and how the results will be measured and evaluated. 

The city sustainability and innovations office reviews SA2T applications twice a year. Applications not accepted for a grant will automatically be reconsidered at the next evaluation, unless withdrawn. 

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