Sterling School/Charles Townes Center PTA Awarded Grant
Grant supports STEM + Families initiative to increase student access to STEM experiences
The National PTA and littleBits have awarded the Sterling School/Charles Townes Center PTA a $5,000 grant to engage families in technology education. Sterling School/Charles Townes Center is one of only 20 PTAs nationwide selected to receive a grant through the STEM + Families initiative. The grant recognizes Sterling School/CTC’s leadership and commitment to increasing access to STEM—and particularly technology—experiences for its students.
Sterling School/CTC used the grant to host “STEM + Families Invention Night” with all of the equipment and materials acquired through the grant. Parents used fun, hands-on invention kits, learned about STEM careers, and connected families and students to STEM learning enrichment opportunities.
“At our STEM + Families Invention Night, students and parents had a unique opportunity to work together and experience how much fun learning can be through hands-on invention activities. This early spark can help promote a lifelong interest in fast growing career fields that involve science, technology, engineering and math,” said Niki Peters, president of the Sterling School/CTC PTA. “Local high school students from the GreenVillains, FIRST Robotics Competition Team 281, provided demonstrations and a close-up look at a working robot.”
“We know—and decades of research proves—that families play a critical role in children’s success and achievement. We also know that parents and guardians have the biggest influence on a child’s educational and career decisions,” said Jim Accomando, president of National PTA. “Family engagement is essential to strengthen STEM education, bridge the STEM gap and help all children realize their fullest potential. We’re thrilled to empower Sterling School/CTC with resources to engage families in technology and math education.”
STEM + Families is a national effort to engage entire families in STEM experiences at school, at home, in the community and with digital learning environments to support their students’ success in STEM. The goal of the initiative is to fill a critical gap in STEM education, increase access to STEM experiences for all students and inspire the next generation of STEM professionals.
