The Governor’s STEM Initiative, housed within the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts, has awarded more than $150,000 in grant funding to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities at 54 schools and organizations across the state. The program is designed to support STEM programs, projects and events serving West Virginia students from Pre-K through high school.
“Our state’s future is changing, and in order to fill the jobs being created in West Virginia for West Virginians, our students must have access to these specialized programs to develop the skills they need to compete for work in high-demand fields,” Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said. “As economic development opportunities in our state continue to require a STEM-focused workforce, we are working to prepare today’s students for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
In 2014, Tomblin established the Governor’s Council on STEM to develop specialized STEM education opportunities for West Virginia students to meet workforce demands, revitalize stu-dents’ interest in STEM professions, and increase the number of graduates in these fields over the next 10 years. The council’s recommendations are being implemented through the Governor’s STEM Initiative.
Grant funding has been awarded to the following programs:
• High Rocks Educational Corporation, Pocahontas County
• RESA 4, Braxton, Webster, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Fayette and Greenbrier Counties.
Grant funding will support startup costs for new STEM projects or provide resources to expand existing STEM programs. Grants will provide resources for classroom/learning materials, technology investments/tools, professional development for teachers/staff, and other costs associated with the program.
For more information, contact Gretchen Frankenberry, Governor’s STEM Initiative Executive Director, at 304-558-2440.