$10,000 STEM, CTE grants awarded to FMS
Tennessee Department of Education recently awarded Farragut Middle School with a $10,000 STEM Expansion Grant and $10,000 CTE Start Up Grant, according to Cathy Ginel, FMS science department chair and instructional coach.
“The focus on these grants is to expand student opportunities in STEM and career exploration and awareness,” she said. “The CTE Start Up Grant funds will be used to provide more exploration to our career readiness curriculum so that more students are cognizant of their career paths.
“We are focusing on bridging the gap between student interests and student awareness of different career fields,” Ginel added. “In particular, we will be empowering students to learn about potential science, engineering, construction, manufacturing and math-related careers through this grant.
“The grant funds will be used to purchase 3D printers, associated computers and filament. Students will have the opportunity to problem solve and create three-dimensional products through computer software and development.”
Ginel said the STEM grant “is building on a grant that FMS was awarded last school year ... students will have the opportunity to build, code and manipulate their own technological design to apply innovative ideas that improve existing processes.
“Aside from improving these skills, students will have the opportunity learn about potential STEM-related careers,” she added. “The grant funds will be used to purchase Sphero bolts, Vex robotics arena and iPads to control the associated robots.
“We are excited about these opportunities for our students to increase their career awareness, career exploration and STEM-based skills at Farragut Middle School.”
