ROCK HILL, S.C.– The newly formed STEM Development Foundation has delivered checks to seven organizations in recognition of their outstanding effort to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through their programs and projects.
“Piedmont Technical College (PTC) appreciates the donation from the STEM Development Foundation to the PTC Predominately Black STEM Program”
The following South Carolina organizations are the STEM Development Foundation’s first grant recipients:
- Fort Mill School District
- Rock Hill School District – Saluda Trail Middle School
- Chester County School District — Chester Career Center
- Phi Delta Kappa — Teacher STEM Initiative
- Clemson Extension – Science on the Move
- SC Department of Commerce — Catawba Regional Education Center
- Piedmont Technical College — PBI STEM Initiative
“Science on the Move is helping youth, not only through 4-H, but also through this special initiative to get excited about science and consider entering into related fields,” said Katie Risenbarger, program director. “The program staff is grateful for the donation from the foundation to help us recognize an outstanding teacher effort to expand the effectiveness of the program.”
The STEM Development Foundation is a nonprofit created to foster interest in STEM careers. Created in 2014, the foundation’s board of directors is headed by Matthew Dosch, who is a senior executive with Comporium, a S.C. based communications and technology company.
“The country in general, and South Carolina in particular, are faced with a critical shortage of workers in science, technology, engineering and math,” said Dosch. “The foundation’s goal is to support existing activities, bring together diverse STEM projects and recognize outstanding initiatives that will respond to this critical need. The foundation board saw a need to support activities that would increase the number of individuals going into STEM jobs. These donations are a beginning effort by the foundation’s board to help organizations to stimulate interest in science and technology.”
The STEM Development Foundation’s purpose is to work with companies, college and universities and K-12 school districts to expand a better understanding of science, technology, engineering and math. Dr. Ed Duffy acts as the STEM Development Foundation’s executive director under the direction of the foundation’s board.
“Piedmont Technical College (PTC) appreciates the donation from the STEM Development Foundation to the PTC Predominately Black STEM Program,” Dr. Ray Brooks, president. “The donation will enable the college to recognize a student in this program. PTC recognizes the need to increase the number of black males graduating and going to work in science and technology fields and is grateful to the STEM Development Foundation for its work and for its generosity.”
STEM Development Foundation’s Dr. Ed Duffy said that the programs being put into practice by educators complements the mission of the foundation. The foundation also provided a grant to Phi Delta Kappa. PDK is the professional association for teachers. The association promotes better teaching and instruction in South Carolina. The donation to the association is to recognize outstanding work by a STEM teacher in the state.
“The foundation donations are targeted to assist teachers in bridging successful programs between educational levels. It will help students identify STEM areas of interest that benefits them and develop guides and tools that students can use to achieve their desired academic and career goals,” said Dr. Duffy.
About STEM Development Foundation
Founded in 2014, The STEM Development Foundation’s purpose is to work with companies, college and universities and K-12 school districts to expand a better understanding of science, technology, engineering and math. For more information, visit www.stemdevelopmentfoundation.org.