NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AWARDS $1.35M GRANT TO ALIGNMENT NASHVILLE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 2, 2009) -
Alignment Nashville has been awarded a $1.35 million grant by the National Science Foundation for a three-year project to increase the number of students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Mayor Karl Dean and Alignment Executive Director Sydney Rogers announced today.
The project allows middle school students to participate in afterschool activities as well as a week-long summer camp to help them understand how their interest in art can translate into a satisfying STEM career that is essential for the continued vitality of the local and U.S. economy.
“This project was developed to help students understand the significance of STEM as they choose one of the career academies that will be offered at most Nashville public high schools next year,” Rogers said.
Dean said: “This project is right in line with my efforts to increase afterschool opportunities and career exploration for middle school students. Middle school is a critical time for determining a student’s future success in high school and beyond. I applaud Sydney and her staff for working hard to acquire this grant.”
The project will serve two groups of 100 students each to increase their computer skills, experiment with rapid-prototype technology, and learn about the wide variety of STEM careers. In addition, teachers from six Metro middle schools and three high schools will receive intensive training to increase their own technology and teaching skills.
Collaborating partners for the grant include Metro Nashville Public Schools, PENCIL Foundation, Tennessee Tech University, the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee and Nashville State Community College. Student participants will be selected by the Girl Scouts and another community agency, soon to be identified through the Alignment Nashville middle school committee.
Alignment Nashville is a non-profit organization located in the Mayor’s Office. Alignment works to align the efforts of more than 300 Nashville community groups to create coordinated support for the city’s youth. Established in 2004, Alignment uses a unique model of collaboration to create the synergy necessary for sustained student improvement in public education and children’s health.
For media inquiries contact:
Janel Lacy
(615) 862-6020
janel.lacy@nashville.gov