EIO Grant Supports STEM and Computer Science

EIO Grant Supports STEM and Computer Science

by | Mar 17, 2023 | Building a Stronger Fayette

 

Students in the Brownsville Area, Laurel Highlands, and Uniontown Area School Districts benefited from a $12,000 grant for the STEM and Computer Science Initiative. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) partners with Penn State Extension’s Fayette County 4-H for this initiative, led by 4-H Educator Jennifer Deichert. The foundation’s grant was used for the 2022 Race Day workshop and competition, where students learned how to program robots to navigate a bowtie-shaped race track and play table-top dodgeball.

A group of students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade participated in Race Day. SPIKE™ Prime sets were provided for students to use drag-and-drop coding language to maneuver their robots around the race track and dodgeball table. Each set includes a programmable Hub with built-in gyro to determine direction, three sensors (distance, force, and color), one large motor, two medium motors, wheels, and over 500 LEGO® Technic™ elements.

“Teams modified their robot’s design and used a variety of the programming skills acquired throughout the school workshop to upgrade their robot’s performance,” explained Deichert.

 

Members of the 4-H Robotics Club served as teen leaders to share their knowledge in robot design and programming. These particular students are members of FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Team #16011. They compete with other FTC teams in the state, and they design and manage robotics workshops and competitions for Fayette County youth.

CFFC awarded an additional grant of $26,665 to Albert Gallatin Area, Brownsville Area, Frazier, Laurel Highlands, and Uniontown Area School Districts for the STEM and Computer Science Initiative to continue the program in 2023.

This grant opportunity is made possible through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) Program.  Eligible businesses are encouraged to participate in this tax credit program.  More information can be found at https://dced.pa.gov.

“This is a special program that incentivizes businesses to support education through philanthropy. CFFC is an approved EIO Organization and we’re grateful to award grants for exciting learning opportunities like the STEM and Computer Science Initiative,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.

Watch the video!

 

*All photos included in this feature were submitted by Penn State Extension’s Fayette County 4-H.

STEM Programs at Jacobs Creek Watershed Association

STEM Programs at Jacobs Creek Watershed Association

by | May 6, 2022 | Building a Stronger Fayette, Grants

 

Jacobs Creek Watershed Association (JCWA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of natural resources, rehabilitation of the creek and watershed, environmental education and recreation. They partner with the Fayette County Conservation District to host STEM and Science-based programs in summer: Tot Time for children ages 2-5 and Nature Explorers Camp for children ages 6-9. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded a grant to support the 2021 Tot Time and Nature Explorers Camp.

Photos submitted by JCWA

JCWA staff coordinated exciting and informative stories, crafts, and games around the theme of “Habitats Surround Us” for the four-week program. Topics included forest/trees, grass/meadows, wetlands, and water. In light of the pandemic, JCWA provided themed kits for families registered in the watershed. The kits had sub-sections for each week with materials to perform each activity, written instructions, and instructional videos. Some used the kits for a family night and sent photos of the activities in action.

The goal of Tot Time and Nature Explorers Camp is to introduce basic ecology and environmental science to preschool/elementary school children. “Thanks to the support of CFFC, Jacobs Creek Watershed Association was able to continue our mission and provide easily accessible and affordable STEM opportunities to our watershed community in 2021,” said Denise Wilkins, JCWA Executive Director. JCWA is happy to resume in-person programs at Greenlick Lake for 2022.