STEM

5 Oklahoma Schools Districts Receive $1.2 Million for STEM

• By Sri Ravipati
• 10/10/16

Oklahoma's largest industrial park is funnelling back money into surrounding area schools to further STEM programs. The Mid-America Industrial Park has donated $1.2 million to five school districts in Mayes County to improve STEM labs and career centers. 

“We account for more than 4,000 workers in diverse industry sectors and that number will continue to grow, so we must be able to recruit and retain workers with STEM-oriented skills,” said David Stewart, chief administrative officer at Mid-America Industrial Park, at a press conference. “Ultimately, our goal is to create a pipeline of highly trained workers who possess the skills, attitudes and characteristics needed by our employers.”

The new investment will be used to develop infrastructure and curriculum and cover maintenance costs for the following districts:

• Adair Public Schools;
• Chouteau-Mazie Public Schools;
• Locust Grove Public Schools;
• Pryor Public Schools; and
• Salinas Public Schools.

In addition to the $1.2 million investment, Tulsa World reports that Mid-America Industrial Park will “spend another $2.3 million to develop advanced STEM programming for area students, tailored to the variety of employers’ needs, in a center located in the industrial park itself.”

To learn more, visit the company site.