Overview
The Teachers' Science and Technology Outreach Program (TSTOP) provides Ontario elementary and secondary science and technology teachers with opportunities to participate in leading-edge research in publicly funded institutions.
The objective of TSTOP is to: advance teachers' scientific knowledge and understanding of research underway in Ontario, share the excitement of research with their students, and develop ongoing relationships between Ontario classrooms and researchers.
Teachers' scientific knowledge will be advanced by their participation in leading-edge research. They will develop a working knowledge of Ontario's achievements in research while working alongside leading investigators and their graduate students.
Teachers, in collaboration with the institutions, will then disseminate this knowledge to their students. This will include a class trip to the host institution during the school year, and other related activities, such as school visits by the institution's scientists or graduate students.
Application Process
A list of summer research placements is posted on the ministry website. Teachers can review placement descriptions, make a selection and submit an application form.
Using the attached application form, teachers send their application to the Ministry, which will forward the material received directly to the institution named on the application by the applicant. No additional information is required, e.g. letters of reference or lengthy resume.
Download the TSTOP application form.
Applications are to be submitted to the Ministry, via email to Diane De Melo, Policy Analyst at diane.demelo@ontario.ca.
When submitting an application, please include in the email's subject line "TSTOP Application" and the name of the research institution.
The Ministry is not involved in or in any way responsible for any aspect of the handling and assessing of the applications by the institution and the selection of successful applicants by the institution. The institution is solely responsible for receiving all applications and assessing all aspects of the handling and assessing of applications and for selecting successful applicants and for informing all applicants of the institution's decision.
Prior to the summer, the successful applicant will receive all the necessary information directly from the institution.
When preparing an application, please take the following into consideration:
- TSTOP is a voluntary program on the part of both the research institution and teacher. No honoraria are provided. It is a discretionary non-entitlement program.
- Teachers are encouraged to apply to a research placement that is most relevant to their academic and classroom teaching responsibilities.
- To ensure that their students are able to visit the institution during the following school year, teachers are encouraged to apply to a placement near where they teach.
- All research placements can be undertaken in English while some are also offered in French.
- Some placements have identified certain conditions or situations that must be taken into consideration before applying.
- All placements last at least three weeks. While some have specific dates, others are flexible.
- The follow-up student experience is to take place between September 2008 and June 30, 2009.
Funding
The Ministry of Research and Innovation will provide the institution with funds in the form of a Grant Agreement (a contract) to support teacher and student expenses, following Government of Ontario travel guidelines, including:
- Teacher Research Experience:
- Daily commuting costs incurred by the teacher traveling to and from the TSTOP site, such as parking or public transit. Daily meals are the teacher's responsibility.
- Teachers living beyond 100 km of the institution are eligible for reimbursement of their costs for one round trip to and from the institution, accommodation and meals.
- Costs for materials and equipment required by teachers in carrying out their research.
- Student Outreach Experience Expenditures:
- Travel costs associated with bringing the teacher's students to the institution for a one-day site visit.
- Travel and overnight accommodation costs for students, teacher and chaperones traveling over 100 km.
- Cost for producing working models, experiments, and supplies that aid the research team and teacher in demonstrating the summer research experience to students.
- Travel costs to bring research team members to the teacher's school.
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Grant Agreement with Institution:
- When funding for a proposal is approved by the ministry, the institution will sign a Grant Agreement (a contract) with MRI. The Agreement will address terms and conditions for the disbursement of the Grant that include, but are not limited to:
- Project Description
- Milestones and Deliverables
- Project Budget
- Eligible Project Expenditures
- Final Project Report
- Project Financial Statement
- Contract Termination Clauses
- TSTOP will monitor the project in relation to:
- Milestones and Deliverables
- Financial Reporting
- Other requirements as set out in the grant agreement
- For your information, you can download a sample copy of the 2008 TSTOP grant agreement.
- Disbursement of Funds:
- Approved projects will be paid to the institution, through a Request for Disbursement (RFD) process. The initial 90% of grant funds are disbursed at the start of the project and are subject to a 10% holdback, which will be disbursed after the final TSTOP review of the project's finances and fulfillment of project objectives.
