Fenton Chamber Receives $5,000 STEM Grant

The Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition (MMSC) and the Missouri Afterschool Network (MASN) have awarded $5,000 in local community K-12 STEM engagement grants.  The Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition is an organization of business leaders, educators, parents and other stakeholders who have come together to find ways to improve student performance and engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  The organization is a program of the Missouri Chamber Education Foundation.  The Missouri Afterschool Network is part of a national network, led by a statewide steering committee comprised of organizations and individuals concerned about the success of children and youth during non-school hours.

In an effort to expand science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) opportunities for K-12 students, the Missouri After School Network and the Mathematics and Science Coalition , with support from the Noyce Foundation, have awarded three local chambers of commerce community teams $5,000 each to expand STEM efforts in their regions.  The Kirksville Chamber of Commerce, the Fenton Area Chamber of Commerce and Arcadia Valley Chamber of Commerce are in the first round of grant awards to be awarded.
 
The goals of the grant are to educate local business and education leaders about the importance of STEM learning during both the school day and after school, provide local leaders with opportunities to learn from peers about how to strengthen STEM, and coordinate community efforts to support expanded STEM learning opportunities. The grants will provide support and technical assistance to local teams to support hosting local summits on STEM Education.

“We are very pleased to award these three communities with the grant to help them in their quest to gear up their communities and expand high-quality STEM programing to area students,” stated Brian Crouse, Executive Director for the Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition.

The Coalition has concluded the first round of grant awarding and is conducting a second Request for Proposals (RFP). These grants can assist local communities to engage in coordinating and convening meetings, community asset mapping, hosting events and with participation in statewide meetings.        

For more information on the grant awards or the second round of grants, please contact Brian Crouse, vice president of education for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at 573-634-3511 or  bcrouse@mochamber.com or go to the Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition Website at www.momathandscience.com.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry (www.mochamber.com) was founded in 1923 and is the largest business organization in Missouri, representing almost 3,000 employers, providing more than 425,000 jobs for Missourians.