ALBION, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Bosch Community Fund recently presented the East and Central Noble school districts with nearly $35,000 in grants to assist with four projects that will support students and teachers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as well as further pursue environmental education. The grants were presented by Michael Sagan, plant manager of the Bosch Albion manufacturing site, at the Central Noble School campus.
Teachers submitted applications for the grants and were selected by a team that included representatives from Bosch and the Bosch Community Fund.
“Bosch is very excited to partner with the East and Central Noble school districts as the two districts continue to advance STEM and environmental education, both of which are part of Bosch’s heritage and demonstrate our strategic mission in which all of our products are Invented for life,” said Sagan at an award ceremony held Feb. 28. “The quality and creativity of the submissions was excellent and it was challenging to narrow the field to the four that were chosen.
“We are eager to see the outcomes of the projects and encourage students and teachers to continue to think of innovative ways to help students develop excitement in these critical areas,” Sagan added. “It is our hope that, by working with children throughout their elementary, middle and high school years, we can spark interest in and create a passion for science, technology, engineering, math and the environment that will ultimately result in students pursuing careers in these critical areas.”
According to East Noble School District Superintendent Ann Linson: “Teachers in this region continue to show tremendous creativity in presenting these subjects to their students. We share Bosch’s commitment to preparing students today for promising high-tech careers and not merely talking about these subjects, but showing them and inviting them to learn in real-time, hands-on environments.”
Superintendent of Central Noble Community Schools Chris Daughtry said: “We all remember times in school when teachers gave us experiences that brought to life what we were studying. We remember those times most vividly and for many students, these are life-changing experiences. Grants like those from the Bosch Community Fund facilitate this kind of learning. They are invaluable.”
The awards include:
- GAME:IT Elementary STEM curriculum: A grant for $499 will support the implementation of GAME:IT Elementary STEM curriculum at South Side Elementary School. GAME:IT Elementary is a project-based program designed to introduce elementary school students to computer programming using Scratch. Scratch is a computer programming language that can be used by students and teachers in a variety of math and science projects. It helps children learn to think creatively, reason systematically and work collaboratively – all essential life skills. During the program’s 60 hours of instruction, students will learn how to design and build computer games.
- 7th Grade Field Trip to Merry Lea Environmental Center: A grant of $920 will take more than 90 seventh-graders who attend Central Noble Middle School to the Merry Lea Environmental Center. While at the center, students will gain scientific knowledge by observing the world around them, participate in hands-on activities, perform and evaluate various investigations, and share their findings.
- Water Quality of Noble County Lakes 8th Grade Project: Eighth graders at East Noble Middle School, supported by a BCF grant of $16,287, will learn about the water quality of Noble County lakes. The 270 students will develop science skills through laboratory investigations to determine the water quality of four lakes in Noble County, Ind. Using a variety of water tests and science equipment, students will discover the physical and chemical properties of lake water in the area where they live.
- Advanced Technology Professional Development: Teachers will continue to hone their skills with the help of a $17,000 grant that supports advanced training for technology staff members of the East Noble School District through Microsoft's “Tech Ed” Conference. The grant provides support for East Noble School District to become a Microsoft IT Academy. The Microsoft IT Academy will provide staff with professional development and a full curriculum for teaching technology courses and the learning tools needed to work with students. The Microsoft IT Academy will also provide students with the technology skills and certifications to be college- and career-ready.
About the Bosch Community Fund:
The Bosch Community Fund, a U.S.-based foundation established in September 2011, awards up to $3 million annually in grants to various 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions. The BCF focuses primarily on the enrichment of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and the advancement of environmental sustainability initiatives.
About Bosch:
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. According to preliminary figures, its roughly 281,000 associates generated sales of 46.4 billion euros ($61.6 billion) in 2013*. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. In 2013, Bosch applied for some 5,000 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group’s products and services are designed to fascinate, and to improve the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial. In this way, the company offers technology worldwide that is “Invented for life.” Additional information on the global organization is available online at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, and http://twitter.com/BoschPresse. In the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial drives and control technology, power tools, security and communication systems, packaging technology, thermotechnology, household appliances, healthcare telemedicine and software solutions. For more information, please visit www.boschusa.com, www.bosch.com.mx and www.bosch.ca.
*Due to a change in legal rules governing consolidation, 2013 figures can only be compared to a limited extent with 2012 figures. Exchange rate: 1 EUR = $1.32812
