The president has proposed his budget, and “the budget is built around key themes that span the cradle-to-career continuum,” said US Education Secretary Arne Duncan. The goals of this experiment will not manifest a Lake Wobegon Effect as each state will utilize the largesse in their pursuit of the objectives to create the ideal STEM or Core Curriculum results for students under their auspices.

Not the “prettiest, handsomest, or most intelligent” will be sought, rather the objective is advancement in the development of the learning espoused for students “cradle to career,” catering to their discovered skills. Preschool Development Grants, funded at $750 million, will go to states that expand successful preschool programs and build capacity to implement high-quality preschool programs. High school redesign plays a large role in attempting to transform high schools into engaging learning centers that prepare students for both college and the workforce.

Great emphasis is continuing to be placed on giving students the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world. This, it is hoped, will increase student engagement and attendant graduation rates. These goals fit well with the objectives outlined in the vast majority of Pitsco Education labs and the LEGO^® Education programs. If acquiring these learning materials is outside the purchasing ability of instructors, find below a listing of some potential grant sources:

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