RSS
WIRED INNOVATION FUND
The WIRED Innovation Fund launched April 11, 2008. Applications for funding are accepted in three categories:
Exploratory Investment proposals (up to $35,000) are accepted and awarded on a rolling basis
Demonstration Investments (between $35,000 and $100,000)
Implementation Investments (between $100,000 and $250,000)
Exploratory Investment Awards
1) IT Architecture and Modeling
Gateway Technical College Award Date: 06/11/08
Investment Amount: $35,000
IT talent development program that develops skills and career paths in “IT Architecture and Modeling”. The Exploratory Phase will be focused primarily on Capacity Development for delivery of IT Architecture and Modeling program.
2) Milwaukee SOLAR
Milwaukee Community Service Corps Award Date: 06/11/08
Investment Amount: $20,000
MCSC will explore a project that trains, through MCSC’s established educational infrastructure, disadvantaged young adults to become certified installation technicians of solar electric and solar thermal units. Exploratory funds employed an LTE to facilitate meetings, coordinate technical assistance, assemble curriculum and implement solar electric demonstrations.
3) Careers for Young Adults in the Emerging Water Industry
Milwaukee Community Service Corps Award Date: 06/11/08
Investment Amount: $25,000
Exploring a regional collaboration in SE Wisconsin that prepares disadvantaged young adults for career opportunities in the emerging water industry. The funds will be used to develop a concept plan that tests the feasibility of entry level work experiences with groundwater, surface water, and other water quality improvements at local, regional, and international levels that place disadvantaged young adults on career ladders.
4) Strategic Plan
Wisconsin Community Services, Inc . Award Date: 06/11/08
Investment Amount: $29,344
Expansion and replication of a Workforce Development Collaborative that will educate, train, connect and support urban, ex-offenders with demand-driven employer needs in Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Racine Counties. The Strategic Plan is be the result of a three-month process involving the partners listed, and facilitated by experts from the Annie Casey Foundation. A second tier opportunity is to leverage this strategic, multi-county collaboration for “Second Chance Act” federal funding.
5) Workplace Diversity Toolkit
Waukesha County Economic Development Corporation Award Date: 06/11/08
Investment Amount: $33,310
Exploratory project to research workforce diversity best practices in the Milwaukee 7 area; recruit 25 “Workforce Diversity Champion” participants; and convene “Workforce Diversity Toolkit” CONVERSAcTION.
6) Bridging Valley Communities: A Network Model of Economic Development
Menomonee Valley Partners, Inc. Award Date: 06/11/08
Investment Amount: $24,000
MVP will develop civic networking strategies to enhance businesses’ retention and recruitment efforts; connect Valley companies to the region’s best resources in talent development; and direct employees – and their purchasing power – into the surrounding neighborhoods to enhance the development of commercial and residential districts surrounding the Valley. This “open source” model of economic development takes a comprehensive approach, integrating diverse factors that impact a business’s and a region’s long term connectivity and prosperity.
7) Energy and Automation Course
Saint Thomas More High School Award Date: 06/11/08
Investment Amount: $33,000
Funds allowed Saint Thomas More High School to investigate an “Energy and Automation” course, introducing students to cutting edge technology and science. Funds were directed towards a two-week summer 2008 pilot program to test the feasibility of the course with a core group of students. The course focuses on learning how energy is made, transported, and used with a special emphasis on renewable energy sources. The automation aspect of the course involves computer programming and interfaces.
8) ConnectED
Milwaukee Public Schools Award Date: 06/11/08
Investment Amount: $35,000
Exploratory project to build M7-based curriculum in green technology and the water industry for STEM-education program Project Lead the Way (PLTW). Six month collaboration will bring together partners, identify roles, investigate national models for expanding Project Lead the Way curriculum, tap into local expertise in green technologies and the waste industry, and develop a plan to implement new curriculum across the M7 region and tie area high schools to Workforce Investment Boards with youth employment initiatives.
9) Southeastern Wisconsin Pre-College Capacity Building Project
Wisconsin Foundation for Independent Colleges Award Date: 07/29/08
Investment Amount: $25,000
Exploratory project gathers partners to collaborate and strategize around six major goals:
1. College Access: Develop strategies which will increase numbers served and improve matriculation rates
2. School-to-Careers: Connect students to the world of work and especially where Wisconsin based career opportunities will likely be strong.
3. College Support Services: Develop plans to support students in college to increase graduation rates
4. Develop partnerships with sectors of the economy that will likely need professional workers in the future: insurance, financial services, Health Care, Geriatrics, Water-related activities, and Green Entrepreneurship.
5. Student Leadership Development: Engage participants from all programs in identifying and planning best pre-college services
6. Construction of pre-college centers shared by all interested pre-college partners
10) 2nd Chance Partners for Education /Racine County Manufacturing
Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce Award Date: 07/29/08
Investment Amount: $25,760
Expansion of the existing 2nd Chance Partners for Education model to the Racine area, with a focus on manufacturing companies. Project will identify and place six at-risk high school students in a job experience setting with six different Racine area manufacturing companies. Hours spent at the sponsoring company will be combined with classroom hours, allowing for high school credits for graduation.
11) Manufacturing Free Online Assessment Tool
Southeastern Wisconsin Technical College Manufacturing Consortium - Waukesha County Technical College and Gateway Technical College Award Date: 09/17/08
Investment Amount: $24,882
The Southeastern Wisconsin Technical College Manufacturing Consortium will develop a free, online training assessment tool for manufacturing employers in the M7 Region that identifies gaps in organizational processes, improvement needs, and business leadership capacity to implement the recommended training. The tool focuses on these available training programs for business: Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC); Critical Core Manufacturing Skills (CCMS); Lean Enterprise Workshops; and Six Sigma. The development and delivery of a free, confidential preliminary business profile of training needs will also offer participating businesses: 1) information on the benefits of each training program; 2) contact information for the technical college located in the business' region; and 3) an idea of the business leadership capacity to implement any recommended training.
12) Cognitive Restructuring Research for use in Basic Education programs for Inmates
Waukesha County Technical College Award Date: 09/17/08
Investment Amount: $32,530
Citing a 75% recidivism rate for Waukesha County Jail inmates, partners will conduct a research review of best practices in cognitive restructuring therapy (an evidence based model for reducing recidivism) and design a plan for the development and dissemination of a “Train-the-Trainers” curriculum that teaches Basic Education instructors how to integrate cognitive restructuring therapy into their programs.
13) Articulation Agreement Task Force
University of Wisconsin – Parkside Award Date: 11/20/08
Investment Amount: $41,000
Funds to support the creation of a task force responsible for forging new articulation agreements in Southeastern WI designed to seamlessly transfer students from two-year to four-year programs that support M7 driver industries: advanced manufacturing; water industry; financial services; “green industry”; and healthcare. The task force is chaired by the Associate Provost of the University of Wisconsin –Parkside and will be comprised of representatives from each of the area technical colleges, faculty from relevant disciplines, administrators, and industry leaders.
14) STEM7 Clearinghouse
Engineers and Scientists of Milwaukee, Inc. Award Date: 11/20/08
Investment Amount: $35,000
ESM will create a blueprint for the development, implementation and management of the STEM 7 Clearinghouse to connect STEM-related resources and needs in the M7 region. The STEM7 Clearinghouse will choose a database tool, populate, and manage a web-based database for constituents along the STEM talent development pipeline. Data to be collected in four main areas: 1) MEANS by which partners may participate in STEM outreach; 2) METHODS by which partners may participate in STEM outreach; 3) MATERIALS that can be made available to those involved in STEM outreach; and 4) SUPPORTERS other than the primary constituents along the STEM talent development pipeline.
15) Sustainable Management Degree Development
University of Wisconsin Extension - Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning-Extension (CEOEL) Division Award Date: 11/20/08
Investment Amount: $33,610
Funds are requested to convene, coordinate, and support Milwaukee7 participation in a Business Advisory Board for the Sustainable Management degree. Specifically, WIRED funds are being requested to support personnel (.25 FTE) throughout the curriculum development phase (September 2008 through August 2009). Project staff, to be located within the Center for Community Partnerships (CCP) at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, will coordinate and conduct outreach efforts, recruit Milwaukee7 participants for the Business Advisory Board, convene informational and planning meetings, and formalize partnerships with industry leaders.
16) Water Industry Educational Gap Identification and Plan Development
Discovery World Milwaukee Award Date: 11/20/08
Investment Amount: $34,500
Funds are requested to identify water education programs in place or in the development stage in K-12 and the technical college system. Partners will summarize available education/training programs relative to current and future needs of the water industry and develop a plan that integrates existing programming with future needs and identifies programming to fill gaps.
17) Project-Based Training Program
Running Rebels Award Date: 12/04/08
Investment Amount: $30,000
Partners propose to develop 7 project centers that train young adults in skilled work (window and door installation; wood stripping and finishing; masonry/plaster preservation, repair, and restoration; porch and wheelchair ramp construction/repair; home insulation and weatherization; general home repair; and interior/exterior house painting), while engaging them is a cycle of learning, doing, earning a wage, receiving personal coaching, and planning for future careers. Project proposes to place 25 young adults in full-time jobs with 5 small business partners.
18) OnRamp
Hanson Dodge Creative Award Date: 01/07/09
Investment Amount: $13,690
The On Ramp program will offer an immersive experience to a small group of high school sophomores from Community High school, exposing MPS high school students to career opportunities in the fields of advertising, commercial design and Internet development. High school sophomores will be guided through a 7-module curriculum that exposes them to career tracks within commercial arts professions while guiding the students through a hands-on exercise that brings a project through completion. The program will result in a product that can be marketed for sale. Program is designed as a one-semester demonstration project.
19) Water Industry/University R&D Collaboration
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Award Date: 01/07/09
Investment Amount: $35,000
Project funds will support the development of systematic linkages that build collaboration between industry and university partners in conducting R&D in relevant emerging technologies within the water industry. Program staff will arrange a one-day gathering (possibly 2/27/09) which will be followed by a series of regularly scheduled gatherings that will involve technology needs and capabilities' exchanges between academic and corporate partners.
20) PK-16 Coalition for Eco-Science and Service-Learning
University of Wisconsin – Parkside Award Date: 03/05/09
Investment Amount: $34,910
Project funds will allow UW-Parkside to convene the PK-16 CESSL, which will:
• Unite PK-16 educational institutions, environmental centers and nature preserves to develop student skills matched to the needs of Southeastern Wisconsin;
• Plan regional service learning initiatives that link to PK-16 learning opportunities;
• Expand out-of-school activities at area nature/environmental centers;
• Introduce students to STEM-based career opportunities;
• Offer STEM-based professional development opportunities to 15 educators;
• Create a user-friendly “one-stop” public source of information on events, activities, and environmental education/service-learning opportunities throughout SE WI;
• Jointly pursue national, state, and local grants across coalition partners.
• Align curriculum development, service learning, and educational programming to math and science competencies that contribute to career pathways related to green jobs, the water industry, and educational opportunities throughout the M7 Region.
21) Water Challenge Planning
School Perceptions, LLC Award Date: 03/05/09
Investment Amount: $35,000
Partners will plan and implement the “Water Challenge,” a multi-stage, 5-8 week contest offered on-line at no cost to all high school students in the M7 region. Goals are:
• To build a regional “brand” and increase awareness of the Water Industry within southeastern Wisconsin to students (future employees), teachers, parents and the community;
• To educate K-16 students regarding career opportunities within the Water Industry to attract and retain our most promising students from the region;
• To provide companies within the Water Council with the names and contact information of students interested and competent to explorer careers/internships in the Water Industry;
• To create a vehicle to communicate and embed the Water Industry educational needs into curriculum of the education system; and
• To establish a framework that other industries or companies can use to connect and influence what is being taught in the schools, colleges and universities by sponsoring similar contests.
Demonstration Investment Awards
1) Industrial Machine Repair Bootcamp
Gateway Technical College Award Date: 06/11/08
Investment Amount: $94,185
Project to prepare under- and unemployed individuals to fill entry level jobs as IMR Technicians, and provide employers with a training program to upgrade the skill level of incumbent workers. Building on a bootcamp model already in existence for CNC and welding, Gateway Technical College instructors will design and develop curriculum that can be replicated; recruit and assess 18 trainees; provide training in an 8 hours/5 days per week format; include soft skills training, case management, and post-placement support. Target completion rate for the program is 80%.
2) Manufacturing Careers for Youth
WRTP/Big Step Award Date: 06/11/08
Investment Amount: $71,938
Project will build on existing model to make Milwaukee high school students aware of the opportunities in manufacturing and help them prepare for manufacturing careers. An industry specialist, sited at MPS, will assist guidance counselors by working with individual students and groups in career planning activities. WRTP/Big Step will develop age-appropriate materials for students that provide information on careers in manufacturing. Project goals are to reach 150 students with one-on-one conversations about careers in manufacturing; reach 350 students through job fairs, classes, and presentations; enroll 15 graduates in Entry Level Manufacturing CNC Certificate and Welding classes
3) STEAM – 21st Century Learning meets FIRST Robotics
CESA#1 Award Date: 06/11/08
Investment Amount: $99,896
The STEAM project will create a 21st century “classroom” consisting of 15 to 16 students from 5 school districts, who will create a documentary video chronicling their efforts to reinvigorate a diverse urban robotics team for the 2009 season. FIRST Robotics Competition Team #1268 will become a model for implementing STEM-related programming in an urban setting. A second documentary, “Making STEAM,” will chronicle the 21st century learning experience of the STEAM participants.
4) Facilitated Employment Program for Offenders
Kaiser Group, Inc. Award Date: 07/29/08
Investment Amount: $78,329
Building on a pilot program in 2007 for Huber inmates, project will expand intensive Case Management services such as one-on-one counseling, job preparedness workshops, and basic education and training opportunities with Business Services such as individualized job marketing and development, employer linkages, and retention services to inmates at Waukesha County Jail or on probation/parole. Project budget includes a FTE Case Manager working one-on-one with the customer on securing basic needs and a FTE Business Services Representative who finds and builds job leads on the customer’s behalf. After successful job placement (100 individuals to be placed), retention services would be provided for up to one year.
5) BizLearn College Initiative
BizStarts Milwaukee, Inc. Award Date: 12/04/08
Investment Amount: $50,000
Funds will support BizLearn’s comprehensive, multi-faceted plan to stimulate, champion, coordinate and develop more college student entrepreneurial courses, programs and experiences in the region.
6) English Learner Manufacturing Skills Pipeline Regional Entry Project (ELMSPREP)
Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board Award Date: 12/04/08
Investment Amount: $100,000
Project will create the beginning of a bridge program leading to Advanced Manufacturing career ladders by providing Hmong and Hispanic English Language Learner (ELL) incumbent workers with foundational manufacturing technical training in their primary languages while accelerating their learning of workplace English using contextualized ELL curricula.
7) Opening Doors to the Future: Transforming School-Based Career Education
http://www.cesa1.k12.wi.us/CESA #1 Award Date: 12/04/08
Investment Amount: $74,995
Project will assist schools in effectively delivering relevant, innovative career education to students and parents, ensuring that students receive high-quality career education and information about regional career opportunities throughout their K-12 school experience.
8) Project Lead the Way Bridge Curriculum
Waukesha County Technical College Award Date: 12/04/08
Investment Amount: $41,750
Funds will support the development of a PLTW Bridge Curriculum that aligns existing PLTW curriculum with transcripted credits curriculum at partnering technical colleges in order to provide students the opportunity to earn college credits.
Implementation Investment Awards
1) BizStarts Venture Track
BizStarts Milwaukee, Inc. Award Date: 12/04/08
Investment Amount: $145,000
Funds will support the hiring of a coordinator to implement Venture Track, a series of programs designed to substantially increase the number of innovative, fast-growing companies in the Milwaukee 7 region by creating a defined pathway of mentoring, education and connections for entrepreneurs.
2) Building Engineering Aptitude through Robotics (BEAR)
Spotted Eagle, Inc. Award Date: 12/04/08
Investment Amount: $66,600
Project connects the BotsIQ robotics program with the 21st century learning framework to create a series of courses that will engage at-risk students in hands-on, practical applications of multiple STEM concepts within the classroom and expose them to educational opportunities and career pathways in the manufacturing industry.
3) Spreenkler
Spreenkler Award Date: 12/04/08
Investment Amount: $119,142
A new program, Spreenkler hires college students, builds their technical and soft skills through training, testing, multi-faceted mentoring and real project experience directly with business throughout the Milwaukee seven county region. Goals are to create economic growth by retaining more of the best, brightest and talented students in the region.
4) “Think Insurance” Initiative
Wisconsin Foundation for Independent Colleges Award Date: 12/04/08
Investment Amount: $120,000
Through partnerships among WFIC, the insurance industry and public, private and technical colleges in the 7-county area, this innovative talent development program will create a range of insurance career pathways. The program will foster relationships between colleges and the insurance industry and provide young people opportunities for learning and employment.
5) High School Cohorts: Building the Water Generation
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Great Lakes Institute Award Date: 9/23/09
Investment Amount: $40,000
A scaled 7 county regional high school capacity building program (25-30 students) that features: High school student cohorts, an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) competition, missions featuring the UN Global compact activities, mentors from the M7 industries and businesses and institutions of higher learning. The main goal: educate today’s high school students to become leaders who will work to study aquatic ecosystems, understand their role in safeguarding the health and sustainability of these valuable resources, seek higher education that grants degrees and certification in water related careers and develop job skills required for employment in emerging Lake Michigan-based freshwater.
6) Freshman for Freshwater
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Award Date: 9/23/09
Investment Amount: $40,000
This project will engage the students in three learning communities (LCs) and undergraduate researchers at the UW – Whitewater to work on the 5 dimensions of the FFF project. This program focuses on project based learning whereby students work with the faculty, industry and community groups to research issues, test solutions and share their findings with our industry and community based partners. At a conservative estimate the primary activities will reach between 40-45 youth (aged 18 and up) in the LC’s who represent all 7 counties, will then be required to design high school curriculum and share their knowledge with their hometown high schools, chambers of commerce, and county representatives.
7) Articulation Task Force
University of Wisconsin - Parkside Award Date: 9/23/09
Investment Amount: $90,266
This program builds on the Exploratory award previously funded. It is designed to further establish articulation agreements with key educational institutions within the M7 region, to create articulated programs that are related to water. Specific goals: 1) develop curriculum with a water emphasis that can be incorporated into the water related programs, 2) develop articulation agreements between two-year and four-year institutions in the area of water related programs within the M7 region; and 3) develop an articulation agreement model that will serve as a template that can be utilized by educational institutions within the M7 region.
8) Headwaters
Milwaukee Public Schools Award Date: 9/23/09
Investment Amount: $71,787
This project is a collaboration of three previously funded WIRED initiative projects that will create transparent pathways to expose an increasing number of young people in the M7 region to water-related learning and work experiences and lead to future success in careers and college in the water industry. MPS will develop curriculum modules on water-related science and careers for use in the pre-engineering and technical program, PLTW for grades 6-12. Milwaukee Community Service Corp will enroll MPS PLTW students in paid training to acquire the prerequisite certifications and experiences that open the doors to careers as entry-level technicians in this emerging sector. ESM will take the curriculum and model partnerships from HEADWATERS and disseminate to PLTW schools throughout the M7 region & promote the curriculum and partnerships with K-12 schools and higher education with water sector businesses.
Comments
Hide comments
