Spotlight on Education: Manatee Schools Receive STEM Support from AT&T

The Manatee Education Foundation recently received three grants of $2,000 in support of innovative programming designed to offer a clear picture of a future STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) career to hundreds of students, while harnessing their creativity, empathy, and out-of-box thinking needed to solve real-world problems. As part of AT&T STEM @ Work, each program also requires 20 on-site, contact hours with a business partner so that students have practical and meaningful interactions with an industry leader.

Funded programs:

á Braden River High School: Laser Engraving on the Curve! - Students will be engaged in the manufacturing process and mastery of a universal laser engraver equipped with a rotary attachment. RCH Enterprises, LLC is the lead business partner.

á Lincoln Middle School: Growing for the Future - Students will investigate the food production methods of hydroponics and aeroponics with the overall goal of ultimately increasing the availability of safe, affordable food and offsetting ”food deserts“ in low socio-economic areas. Gamble Creek Farms is the lead partner and students will benefit from guest speakers, mentoring, and cross curricular activities that will add a real-life slant to in-class activities.

á Louise R. Johnson Middle School of International Studies: Build a pi3, Create a Learner - Students will learn how to adapt technology to provide access to power that is adequate, accessible, and free to a rural area. Students are designing, building, and powering raspberry pi3s (a small and affordable computer that is used for programming). The goal is to then incorporate solar technology. With this component, students will learn how to program the solar panel system that will then provide stand-alone energy for batteries, etc. These pi3s will be transported to Johnson’s sister school in Guatemala this summer where students will teach others how to build, maintain, and implement the equipment. The business partner, Jeffrey Bronson of Kids Inspire Kids, Dos Escuelas Hermanas, will travel to Guatemala with the students to help to implement the technology.