VIERA, FL – Northrop Grumman recently awarded $135,000 to Brevard Schools Foundation to launch a pilot Innovation Center project in six schools, as well as support in various other Foundation programs. Nearly $120,000 will fund the Centers, a collaborative project developed by Brevard Public Schools’ Gina Clark, Elementary Media Resource Teacher, and Ed Short, Elementary Science Resource Teacher. The project seeks to establish student-led collaborative inquiry-based STEM Makerspaces, or FabLabs, in the media center that range from high tech to low tech, integrate all curriculum content when appropriate, and are designed to help students create and think critically.
“This generous grant from Northrop Grumman represents a significant opportunity to develop in our students the kind of creativity and innovation needed for the future,” said Superintendent Desmond K. Blackburn. “We are absolutely thrilled with the trust they’ve placed in us.”
The schools that will benefit from the grant are:
- Hoover Middle School
- Indialantic Elementary
- Gemini Elementary
- Central Middle School
- Jupiter Elementary School
- Turner Elementary School
“The Brevard Schools Foundation Innovation Center Labs will provide an opportunity for students to develop hands-on, exploratory interest in science, technology, engineering and math. This program is key to creating and sustaining our children’s interest in STEM, and Northrop Grumman is proud to support this worthwhile effort,” said Rick Matthews, Rick Matthews, Northrop Grumman Vice President, Operations and Melbourne Site Manager.
In addition to the Innovation Center project, $15,000 will support programs including Bright Ideas Classroom Mini-grants for special classroom projects, the Supply Zone for Teachers, a free teacher resource store, Space Week where every Brevard Public School sixth grade student learns about space and space exploration during a study trip to the Kennedy Space Center, the annual ABC Awards that recognizes the outstanding contributions of those who help strengthen the quality of public education in Brevard County, and the Exemplary Science Teacher program, which recognizes outstanding science teachers in Brevard County.
“Community support really helps drive achievement in our schools,” said executive director Janice Kershaw, “we are grateful for our partnership with Northrop Grumman and this wonderful new investment they are making to improve education in Brevard County.”
Northrop Grumman is a Melbourne company that supports numerous initiatives that align with its business goals by providing financial, in-kind, and volunteer resources, particularly in communities where their employees work and live. Areas of support include a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math education; military and veterans; the environment; and health and human services.
Established in 1987, the Brevard Schools Foundation is a direct-support, 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization which matches community resources with the needs of schools. Support may be in the form of financial contributions or in-kind gifts of goods or services. The Brevard Schools Foundation solicits funds for Brevard Public Schools through grants and/or private sources. These grants supplement dollars available through the school district, providing the means for classroom teachers to undertake special projects not supported through existing budgets and programs. For more information about the Foundation, call 321.633.1000 ext. 756 or e-mail kershaw.janice@brevardschools.org.