SANDY SPRINGS, GA — The Sandy Springs Education Force has awarded STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering Arts and Math) grants to all 11 public schools for the 2016-2017 academic year.

As the culmination of the organization’s award-winning annual STEAM event, the grants are made possible through the support of numerous community organizations topped by presenting sponsor, Comcast, as well as Google, Cox Enterprises, Morehouse School of Medicine and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute and many others.

These grants will allow students to continue their interests beyond the classroom and throughout the school year.

“We are determined to cultivate the talents of all our students, despite their particular economic means,” said Irene Schweiger, executive director of Sandy Springs Education Force. “We must prepare them early to pursue careers in STEAM fields, as this is where the jobs of the 21st Century lie. Our legacy grants support programs that inspire our students to pursue STEAM fields in school and beyond.”

The 2016 STEAM grants will support the following initiatives:

  • Dunwoody Springs Elementary: An after school program in which students will study the sun and its ability to impact their lives.
  • Heards Ferry Elementary: A Maker Space Challenge after-school project designed to engage students in STEAM-related activities.
  • High Point Elementary: A math-based after-school program engaging students with mathematics in authentic and real world contexts, culminating in a Math Olympiad.
  • Ison Springs Elementary: An after-school program for students to design and construct a house or city with a variety of materials.
  • Lake Forest Elementary: The after-school STEM Club.
  • Spalding Drive Elementary: An after-school coding program.
  • Woodland Elementary: A First Lego League competition team.
  • Ridgeview Charter Middle: An after-school program in which students will learn about earthquakes.
  • Sandy Springs Charter Middle: The purchase of 4 data hubs to be used in their after school STEAM Green Club.
  • North Springs Charter High: A music technology program that will prepare students for music industry careers in performance and production.
  • Riverwood International Charter: A six-week Saturday STEAM camp for financially vulnerable Lake Forest Elementary fifth-graders.

The Sandy Springs Education Force provides educational and enrichment programs through community initiatives to inspire and support all Sandy Springs public school students to graduate and pursue productive lives beyond high school.

For more information, please visit, https://www.sandyspringseducationforce.org.

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Photos: 2015-2016 grant recipients at this year’s STEAM Showcase.
Credit: Sandy Springs Education Force