Global company helps fund local STEM education

With technology becoming more and more critical in schools, the cost of educating children continues to rise. Public school systems across the country look for ways to ease the burden on taxpayers while maintaining quality standards. In 2016, Georgia allocated about $10,000 per student.

That’s why assistance from corporate foundations has become a staple.

Just last month Bosch, a global supplier of technology and services, awarded grants to five Gwinnett County schools through the Bosch Community Fund. This money will go to Central Gwinnett High School, Paul Duke STEM High School, Mill Creek High School, Osborne Middle School, and Jackson Elementary School for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) projects.

By establishing the Bosch Community Fund in the U.S. in 2012, Bosch strengthened its resolve to get involved in community activities at as many of its global locations as possible. There are around 90 of these in the United States, where the BCF supports local charitable projects with up to $3 million a year. This funding is targeted at scientific, technological and environmental initiatives.

“Our slogan is ‘invented for life’ and that’s a governing principle for our company,” said Craig Clinkscales, manager of quality for Bosch.

Part of Clinkscales’ job is visiting schools and demonstrating how STEM education is a necessary part of life beyond school. He started in Gwinnett County at Osborne Middle and received requests from other schools in the system.

“We help schools teach critical skills needed for today’s workforce,” he said. “We try to close gaps for STEM-related projects.”

Since 2012 Bosch has granted $20 million to more than 40 sites across the country.

It’s part of a growing trend of businesses donating money, goods or staff time to charitable causes, all of which falls under the umbrella of corporate philanthropy. But there is also a growing recognition that companies have a much more powerful role to play and have more to offer than just financial support. Their assets, both intellectual and physical, if tapped into in the right way can really help drive change.

One program that will benefit from the grant is the EPIC program at Mill Creek High school.

“A Mill Creek High School representative was invited to join an informational session about BOSCH and their educational program for supporting STEM. At this same meeting, our Mill Creek representative Carly Cantrell explained the EPIC (Experiential, Project-Based Learning, Innovative, Collaboration, and Cross-Curricular) program and our goal of becoming the STEM certified program at Mill Creek High School,” said Assistant Principal Lacey Jakes.

Mill Creek requested that the majority of the funds be used toward hands-on STEM supplies for the classroom. For example, the school will purchase kite kits for geometry class. Students will have to learn quadrilateral properties through the building of a kite using the engineering design process. The hands-on STEM kits will cover all three sciences included in the program as well as math and engineering.

The five schools will split the district grant of $50,000:

Central Gwinnett High School ($12,000)

The grant funds will be used to support student membership and leadership in five career and technology student organizations.

Paul Duke STEM High School ($12,000)

The grant funds will be used to support the expansion of a “Girls Who Code” team, a digital design program, and a FIRST Robotics team.

Mill Creek High School ($12,000)

The grant funds will be used to support the EPIC (Experiential, Project-Based Learning, Innovative, Collaboration, and Cross-Curricular) program. Students are learning through projects designed to reinforce skills across all of their STEM classes.

Osborne Middle School ($7,820)

The grant funds will be used to support physical science STEM kits.

Jackson Elementary School ($6,180)

The grant funds will be used to support a STEM lab.

Clinkscales said he encourages other companies to follow Bosch’s lead.

“It’s important to let your passions drive you,” he said. “I’m sure almost every company has ways they can foster passion in employees while serving the community.”