The WOCCISD Education Foundation awarded a $10,000 STEM grant to West Orange – Stark Elementary School today during a special end of year program. The grant award was generously funded through Chevron Phillips Chemical Company.
Today’s grant will provide funding for a portable planetarium dome which will benefit the entire student body, approximately 1100 students. All subject area educators on the campus will be able to utilize the dome to enhance how information is delivered to students.
WOC Education Foundation President Krispen Walker said, “We are so grateful to Chevron Phillips Chemical Company for generously donating $10,000 to the WOCCISD Education Foundation and we are beyond thrilled to award the entire $10,000 to the WOS Elementary campus for the purchase of a planetarium dome. We are always looking to support innovative ideas in educating our children, and this planetarium will provide our children with a unique learning experience in the ever so important areas of science, technology, engineering and math.”
Planetariums are domed theaters that project images of the starry sky and create educational experiences that teach astronomy and related sciences.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) areas that can be addressed are unlimited and can include astronomy, optics, aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, biology, physics, geographic information systems, and more. Student observing, hypothesizing, and drawing or plotting skills can be developed in the dome.
WOC Superintendent Rickie Harris said, “Words cannot express our appreciation of Chevron for partnering with WOCCISD to invest in the lives of our students.”
“Chevron Phillips is excited to support this wonderful opportunity to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Projects like this planetarium encourage students to continue developing skills that are important to their future success. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the innovative teachers of West Orange Stark Elementary and the WOCCISD Education Foundation to present this grant,” said Vicki Derese, Chevron Phillips Community Relations Representative.
This is the seventh consecutive year for the foundation to present WOC teachers with the grant awards.
Since the WOCCISD Education Foundation began awarding grants in 2011, more than 50 grants in excess of $128,000 (including this year) have been awarded to classroom teachers in the WOCCISD school system.
The WOCCISD Education Foundation is a not for profit 501(c) 3 created in 2009.
##
Background Information: Dr. Lois Bready, and her brother Doug Bready established the WOCCISD Education Foundation in memory of their parents Eva and Gerald Bready. Eva Bready was a beloved and innovative teacher in the WOCCISD School District who prepared a generation of students to excel in science and to make significant contributions to their communities. Both Eva and Gerald Bready were passionate supporters of the importance of science and math education.