Grants awarded to support STEM educational activities in Guernsey and Monroe counties

Nearly $4,500 in funding provided to public school districts and educators

NELSONVILLE, Ohio – Southwestern Energy and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) have awarded nine grants to support STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) educational activities in K-12 classrooms and schools in Guernsey and Monroe counties.

Nearly $4,500 in funding was provided to public school districts and educators to implement enhanced STEM-based learning materials, opportunities and experiences.

“We share FAO’s commitment to create communities that are flourishing and a belief that empowering our youth to succeed is key to that vision,” said Stephanie Paluda, Southwestern Energy community relations manager. “These grants are investments in our future scientists, innovators and problem-solvers and reflect Southwestern Energy’s dedication to the communities where we live and work.”

2023-2024 grants, provided through the Southwestern Energy STEM Education Fund in partnership with FAO, were awarded to:

• Cambridge City Schools to support middle school students’ participation in the REC Foundation Aerial Drone Competition, engaging students in a combination of teamwork and problem-solving.
• Cambridge City Schools to fund materials for the Cambridge Intermediate School’s laser engraver, allowing students to bring their ideas to life while exploring the fields of arts, design, engineering and entrepreneurship.
• Cambridge City Schools to fund hands-on learning materials for fifth-grade math instruction, deepening students’ understanding of the curriculum and increasing student math achievement.
• Cambridge City Schools (two grants) to fund a middle school student-designed and student-made terrarium that will be able to support a living animal.
• East Guernsey Local Schools to purchase motion and acceleration cars and other materials for Buckeye Trail High School’s physics class, allowing students to perform various motion-related labs.
• East Guernsey Local Schools to support the Warrior Prairie project, a collaboration between Buckeye Trail High School students and the community to build, plant and maintain a native tallgrass prairie that will include signage.
• Switzerland of Ohio Local School District to purchase STEM kits that will help Woodsfield Elementary School students better understand energy by allowing them to create and experiment with electrical transformations.
• Switzerland of Ohio Local School District to support an artist-in-residence program that will expose River High School students to Raku pottery, a traditional form of Japanese Raku firing that uses the earth’s natural elements, and allow them to create, glaze and fire a Raku clay vessel.

To learn more about FAO and how you can support and create opportunities for the people and communities of Appalachian Ohio, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org, email info@ffao.org or call 740.753.1111.