Texas Instruments Commits $5.4 Million to ‘Power’ STEM
Educators and nonprofits in Texas, California and Maine will use TI’s Power of STEM Education grants to provide professional development opportunities and introduce STEM programs.
The philanthropic arm of Texas Instruments (TI) is committing $5.4 million to improve public school education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Formally known as the Power of STEM Education (POSE), the grants from the Texas Instruments Foundation will be distributed to nonprofit partners and educators in communities across the United States where TI has a major manufacturing presence. Special emphasis was given to support the primary and secondary school programs that emphasize opportunities for girls and minorities, who are underrepresented in the STEM field.
"Our focus is on collaborative strategies to improve teaching effectiveness and student success in STEM education," said Andy Smith, executive director of the TI Foundation and TI director of corporate philanthropy, in a statement. "We seek out effective partners who share our goals, make strategic investments and develop long-term relationships with educators and their organizations to support proven, successful programs that can be scaled and replicated."
A majority of the POSE grants will be distributed in North Texas:
Other endowments will be given to Teaching Trust; Lancaster, Mesquite, Plano and Richardson school districts; the University of San Antonio; the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity; and more nonprofits and educators throughout North Texas. TI and the TI Community Fund will issue close to $549,000 to fund programs that emphasize employee engagement, such as volunteering and mentoring students.
In California, grants will be distributed to several Bay Area organizations to establish partnerships and further training. Recipients include Breakthrough Silicon Valley, We Teach Science and many more.
Lastly, Maine is receiving grants to fund collaborative programs between the state’s two largest school districts. The South Portland School District and the Portland School District will implement a STEM academy for grades 8-10, focusing on minority and female students.
Further information about the grants can be found on the TI site.
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