STEM Academy receives $15,000 grant
The leadership of North East Independent School District’s STEM Academy will design a strategy that will help transition middle school students to STEM-related high school classes, courtesy of a $15,000 grant from the Educate Texas Fund.
“We will focus on bridge programs to support a student’s move from middle school to high school in STEM areas,” said Jennifer Jensen, STEM Academy Director. “We want our students prepared to enroll in dual credit courses while in high school, as well.”
STEM is the acronym for a combined study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The STEM Academy is a magnet program for 6th through 12th grade students with classes offered at Nimitz Middle School and Lee High School.
The grant will fund the design and implementation of a plan that emphasizes algebra to middle school students in preparation for the advanced or career-focused math in high school, Jensen said. The grant will be used for a combination of advisories, summer camps and parent camps to better equip students with the skills and relationships they need to be successful in a rigorous high school program.
Additionally, the plan will include helping students plan for two and four-year degrees, informing students of career opportunities and suggesting courses that would lead to industry certificates.
The grant was awarded by Educate Texas, a public-private initiative of Communities Foundation of Texas. The foundation, an alliance of public and private groups, focuses on improving the public education system.
Educators interested in seeking grants can access the grants mini-base created by the district’s Government Relations and Grant Development Department. District educators must be signed into the district intranet system to access: https://www.neisd.net/Page/471. Watch the video on the “Grant Training and Writing” page before starting the grant writing process.
