The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation recently received two donations to help fund STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education among youth in East St. Louis.
BP America and Bank of America each donated $10,000 to help launch the new STEM program. The funding will be used to update computers and software, provide education consultants, and fund college field trips.
The JJK foundation, which has been in East St. Louis since 1995, provided a trial-run for a STEM after-school program that included over 100 students. Johanna Strong Wharton, executive director of the JJK Foundation, told The American the pilot program was a success. High schoolers helped engineer robots and younger students built airplanes and rockets.
The Brookings Institution reported between 2010-2013 more than 18 percent of the country’s job growth contributed to the STEM industry.
“The support from BP allows us to engage educators, staff and volunteers so that we can continue to emphasize the importance of STEM education to our students while providing them with the tools they need to become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow,” Joyner-Kersee said in a statement.
The curriculum will include introductions to geology, plant science, space, bioscience, chemical engineering, web design, app creation, robotics, math tricks and physics. Participants will also be exposed to BP’s Enterprising Science curriculum.
“Jackie Joyner-Kersee is a champion both on and off the track and we’re excited to partner with her foundation to help improve pathways to learning in East St. Louis,” George Bauernfeind, BP’s U.S. Head of Olympic and Paralympic Programs, said in a statement.
This story is published as part of a partnership between The St. Louis American and The Huffington Post.
