The United States Department of Defense Education Activity donated $500,000 to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programming at Claiborne Pell Elementary School, according to What’s Up Newp.
The grant, “Reaching for the Stars,” will fund new technology including augmented reality and virtual reality learning stations, laptops and drones to create three-dimensional learning experiences. An outdoor teaching pavilion will also be created.
After extensive planning sessions through teacher workshops and student assessments, Reaching for the Stars will launch in August 2021, What’s Up Newp reported.
“It is critical to our national security that our students spark interest in critical and fast-growing careers in STEM and our PreK-12 education system is poised to increase and sustain student engagement in STEM,” said Marcin Rembisz, communications coordinator for Newport Public Schools, in a statement. “This grant will provide elementary students with the college and career-ready resources necessary to successfully build and/or expand its STEM programming.”
