FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – The Bosch Community Fund recently awarded $60,000 in grants to seven organizations and schools in the Kentwood, Michigan, community. The grants support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and environmental sustainability activities for students and educators. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to make these awards to such outstanding organizations. It is truly inspirational to see the work that they are doing, and we are confident that these grants will help these very select programs to further their already impressive success,” said Jim Hagene, plant manager, Boschs Kentwood facility.
The grants were awarded to the following organizations:
- Grand Rapids Urban League: An $11,900 grant will benefit project STEMULATE! (science, technology, engineering, math – Urban League – apply, teach, empower) 2.0, a 36-week program using urban agriculture as a vehicle for economic opportunity and workforce development. Students develop STEM expertise through authentic investigations of locally and globally relevant environmental and health challenges. Participants put their knowledge to practice through youth-led community workshops and youth-centered economic and workforce development activities, distributing harvested organic produce to local senior citizen housing facilities. The curriculum also offers several discovery tracks designed to help young girls of color gain leadership and research experience to stimulate interest in agriculture careers.
- Code Red Robotics: This $10,000 grant supports For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST®) Robotics Team 2771, Code Red, with resources for robot- and field-build expenses associated with its 2016-2017 season. FIRST Robotics provides students with opportunities for hands-on STEM experiences through building robots and competing against other teams locally, regionally and nationally.
- West Michigan Aviation Academy: A $9,929 grant funds the purchase of 13 desktop 3D printers and additional model support materials to enhance the academys STEM curriculum and 3D printing programs. These adjustments reflect the ongoing increase in the student population and students interest in STEM activities and courses. The desktop models provide flexibility to transport several printers to various classrooms and science labs throughout the building. As a result, more students have the opportunity to use the printers and experience 3D modeling technology and its various interdisciplinary uses.
- Kent Intermediate School District (ISD): This $8,376 grant supports the purchase of three littleBits® modular electronic sets and provides for the training of eight local, middle school science and technology teachers. Through the training, teachers increase their ability to deliver engaging, project-based science lessons relating to the emerging career fields of robotics, computing and engineering design. Each year, approximately 1,200 students are exposed to new educational practices and content designed to increase interest and knowledge in STEM-related topics.
- Kent ISD Technical Center: A $7,529 grant aids in the purchase of a Sharp® Aquos Board, an interactive display system for teaching students complicated program concepts and coding. This multimedia device, commonly used in the corporate world, is a tool for digitally demonstrating complex coding syntax concepts on a large screen that can be mimicked on individual computers. The grant also provides educators with access to more than 100 science standard-aligned lessons, exposing approximately 1,200 students each year to new educational practices and content intended to increase engagement and academic success in STEM courses.
- Caledonia EnrichEd: This $6,600 grant supports the purchase of kits and parts for Caledonias 17 elementary, middle and high school VEX® Robotics teams; student registration scholarships; and necessary upgrades to the VEX playing fields. To increase the number of girls participating in teams, funds promote the availability and granting of registration scholarships to female and minority students. Playing field upgrades give participating students the resources to prepare for the 2017-2018 challenge and host other local schools for official competitions and scrimmages.
- Grand Valley State University: A $5,666 grant helps fund the Science Technology & Engineering Preview Summer (STEPS) Camp for Girls, a day-camp focused on introducing 80 seventh-grade girls to aviation-themed STEM topics. The one-week day camp aims to build self-esteem, confidence and self-efficacy in young girls by nurturing teamwork and increasing content knowledge and interest in STEM subjects. For 15 years, STEPS Camp for Girls has worked side-by-side with the local industries and the community to provide a one-of-a-kind manufacturing experience.
Lisa Butler, Director of Grand Rapids Urban Leagues Center for Health, Wellness and Youth, believes gardening organically “requires an awareness of the total STEM picture.” She added: “Thanks to the Bosch Community Fund, our youth learn organic gardening, nature preservation, health, nutrition, fitness and other environmentally focused tasks, with the ultimate goal of focusing on skills that will help them have college and career success in whatever field they choose.” Since 2014, Kentwood-area schools and organizations have received $171,091 in Bosch Community Fund grants.
About the Bosch Community Fund The Bosch Community Fund, a U.S.-based foundation established in September 2011, has awarded more than $12 million in grants to various 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions. The BCF focuses primarily on the enrichment of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and the advancement of environmental sustainability initiatives.
About Bosch Having established a regional presence in 1906 in North America, the Bosch Group employs some 32,500 associates in more than 100 locations, as of December 31, 2016. According to preliminary figures, in 2016 Bosch generated consolidated sales of $13.7 billion in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit www.boschusa.com, www.bosch.com.mx and www.bosch.ca. The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 390,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2016). According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of 73.1 billion euros ($80.9 billion) in 2016. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT company, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility, and connected industry. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Groups strategic objective is to create solutions for a connected life, and to improve quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 450 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Boschs global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the companys future growth is its innovative strength. At 120 locations across the globe, Bosch employs 59,000 associates in research and development. Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, www.twitter.com/BoschPresse. Exchange rate: 1 EUR = $1.1069
