The IGNITE Technology Grant is designed to create leadership opportunities, hone communication skills, and increase self-esteem for students with SEA equipment within their school community.
The goal is to bring awareness to the effective and successful use of technology for modern learning.
The IGNITE Technology Grant is provided in partnership with LEARNstyle Ltd.
SEA equipment... what's that?
SEA stands for Special Equipment Amount. It it provides funding to school boards to assist with the costs of equipment, such as a laptop with assistive technology software (i.e., Read&Write, Braille Notetaker and Boardmaker).
This equipment is recommended by a qualified professional and is essential to support students with special education needs. The equipment provides the student with accommodations that are directly required and essential to access the Ontario Curriculum. For more information, please refer to the Ministry of Ontario's Special Education Funding Guidelines: Special Equipment Amount (SEA) 2022-23.
Congratulations to our 2022-2023 Award Recipients!
School Awards:
- Bayview Hill E.S. - Robotics and Coding Club to build social, math and literacy skills.
- Bakersfield P.S. - Student led club to teach younger students how to use assistive technology to support reading and writing.
- Donald Cousens P.S. - Student led technology club to teach peers about assistive technology programs and applications.
Graduation Awards:
- Kyle F. - Markham District H.S.
- Lee F. - Bill Hogarth S.S.
- Royce W. - Milliken Mills H.S.
- Zehra A. - Milliken Mills H.S.
Applications are now closed for the 2023-2024 school year.
Applications open on: October 10, 2023
Applications close on: December 11, 2023
Award recipients will be notified by: March 1, 2024
Awards
A total of $5500 will be distributed in 8 separate awards* to current York Region District School Board Students with SEA equipment.
*Please note that the distribution of awards is dependent upon the number and range of applications which meet the IGNITE Technology Grant criteria.
The Elementary and Secondary Award application is open to an individual and/or group of students with all types of SEA technology (i.e., Read&Write, Braille Notetaker, and Boardmaker) to create an educational and awareness-building event and/or educational technology training event for their school/community.
Awards of $500 each available for student(s) in Grades K-12+.
Applicants may choose their $500 award as follows:
- $250 in “swag” (e.g. lanyards, t-shirts etc.) and $250 in discretionary funds to cover cost of event (e.g. decorations, prizes, rental fees, technology directly related to event, etc.); or,
- $500 in discretionary funds to cover the cost of event (e.g. decorations, prizes, rental fees, technology directly related to event, etc.)
The Ignite Graduation Award is given to students with SEA equipment who have demonstrated leadership and success in their personal and educational careers.
Award is only open to students currently in Grade 12 with SEA technology AND whose anticipated graduation is June 2023.
$1000 in discretionary funds will be awarded in May/June 2023 and will be put towards the purchase of personal technology to assist the graduating student in their post-secondary goals
Given to graduating students who have demonstrated leadership and success while using SEA technology throughout their educational careers
Notes:
Video, Audio, and other multimedia formats may be used. To ensure confidentiality of student images and information, multi-media files should be uploaded to YRDSB Google Apps and a link to the file or a shared folder included in the application.
Teacher and/or parent involvement is encouraged.
Criteria and Application Process
The Elementary and Secondary Award application is open to an individual and/or group of students with SEA equipment to create an educational and awareness-building event and/or educational technology training event for their school/community.
Criteria
All submissions will be judged based upon how creative and innovative the idea(s) and applications are.
Submissions will need to include:
- goal/purpose/intent of event
- target audience and estimated number of attendees
- details - date/location/format etc.
- details about how the discretionary funds will be used
Application Process:
Application will be submitted in a multi-media format (e.g. video, presentation etc.) or written format(max. 500 words).
- Video applications are limited to 2 minutes in length.
- Submissions will need to include:
- goal/purpose/intent of event
- target audience and estimated number of attendees
- details - date/location/format etc. what will you purchase with the discretionary funds?
All submissions will be reviewed and applicants may be contacted by judging panel if further information is requested.
**Only 1 submission is necessary if the application is for a group of students.
Criteria
The application must explain your:
- leadership and advocacy in the area of SEA technology in school and/or community
- use of SEA and/or other technology throughout educational career and personal use
- plan for using the award (e.g. what type of technology do you hope to purchase with the $1000 award?)
- vision and hope for the future (e.g. how will this technology support you in your education and personal life after high school?)
Upon receiving the Graduation Award, the student will be expected to complete various leadership and advocacy opportunities throughout their graduating year including:
Create a short documentary video (through YRDSB Learning Design and Development) of the student’s story to:
document their experience in school (e.g. what it was like using technology - pros - cons - struggles - successes etc.)
give a message - what they would say to teachers and/or students to make a difference for all students with an exceptionality and SEA technology still in school
Award recipient's name will be shared with SEAC, LDAYR and YRDSB schools to offer opportunities for guest speaking and/or other leadership opportunities to speak at conferences and/or school events.
Application Process:
Application will be submitted in a multi-media format (e.g. video, presentation etc.) or written format (max 750 words).
Video applications are limited to 3 minutes in length
All submissions will be reviewed and applicants may be contacted by the judging panel if further information is requested
Need to include 2 to 3 teacher and/or community member reference letters.