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PITTSBURGH -- Chevron and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation recently award $196,200 in Innovation Grants to 43 Southwestern Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia classrooms to expand and support cutting-edge education.
The grants, presented in collaboration with Pennsylvania Intermediate Unit 1 and the West Virginia Regional Education Service Agency 6 and 7, seek to encourage school districts, primarily in rural communities, to develop engaging programs and curriculum with innovation and design serving as the driving force behind science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education, according to officials.
Oak Glen Middle School is among those receiving funding through the program.
"The faculty, staff and administration of Oak Glen Middle School in Hancock County is thankful to Chevron and the Benedum Foundation for their generous support of our S.T.E.M. Academy," Alyssa Mick, assistant principal at Oak Glen Middle, said. "These funds will provide our students with engaging real-world learning experiences using Project Lead The Way S.T.E.M. curricula. Our hope is that all students develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed in their future academic and career pursuits."
In Pennsylvania, 20 projects in 14 school districts across Washington, Greene and Fayette counties will receive a combined $91,918 for initiatives aimed at topics including sustainable agriculture, energy sources and digital design. Schools in 10 West Virginia counties -- Brooke, Gilmer, Hancock, Harrison, Marshall, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Tucker and Upshur -- will receive a combined $104,282 for projects related to robotics, math, anatomy and arts.
"We're proud to support innovative teachers and school districts that are developing creative solutions to improve S.T.E.M. education opportunities for children throughout our region," said Stacey Olson, president of Chevron Appalachia.
Chevron and Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation funded the Innovation Grants as part of the Appalachia Partnership Initiative, a multi-year partnership established with an initial $20 million commitment from Chevron that seeks to strengthen economic and education environments by supporting long-term S.T.E.M. and technical training programs.
"The Benedum Foundation seeks to promote successful learning, academic achievement, and preparation for the 21st-century work force in southwest Pennsylvania and West Virginia," said James Denova, vice president of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. "We believe these Innovation Grants can help schools and teachers continue to advance practices that demonstrate measurable and sustainable benefits for students. These are some very exciting projects."