Date: June 9, 2023
Contact: Rafael Rivas, [email protected], 646-943-8712
The Event Connected Dozens of District 24 School Educators and Administrators with STEM Organizations Offering Summer Programming.
The District will Receive $25,000 from ExpandED Schools to Distribute to Help Select Schools Cover Summer STEM Costs.
QUEENS, NY – NYC STEM Education Network, a coalition of over 100 STEM education organizations partnered with ExpandED Schools, a nonprofit committed to bringing afterschool programs, hosted a matchmaking STEM Provider Fair with Community School District 24 administrators and educators to connect schools with high quality STEM programs to offer students this summer.
“We are excited to bring this matchmaking event to community school district 24 in Queens as schools decide what STEM programming fits best with their school communities this summer,” said Saskia Traill, Ph.D., President, and CEO of ExpandED Schools. “Amidst the increasing demand for STEM education to prepare students for the future, we’re grateful to the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for their transformative grant that is making events like these possible, which will create unique opportunities to advance STEM education across three districts and foster partnerships that will create long-lasting impact.”
“STEM education is a crucial component of a well-rounded education, and we are honored to provide students across our district high-quality programming through our partners the STEM Education Network and ExpandED Schools,” said District 24 IA Superintendent Teresa Caccavale. “The STEM Provider Fair gives our teachers and school administrators access to a wide variety of organizations across disciplines to bring tailored STEM education, support and resources to their unique school communities.”
Once schools are matched with their preferred STEM provider, selected schools will be provided with funding to ensure programs are staffed appropriately and have the tools and resources needed to be successful. Funding was secured earlier this year by a $325,000 grant to ExpandED School by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to expand and strengthen hands-on, inquiry-based STEM education for NYC youth to three school districts in New York City. Community School District 24 is slated to receive $25,000 from the grant to provide STEM education this summer. The district represents 55 schools in grades pre-K-12 that are located in the Ridgewood, Maspeth, Glendale, Middle Village, Elmhurst, Corona, Woodside and Long Island City and Sunnyside neighborhoods.
About NYC STEM Education Network:
The NYC STEM Education Network comprises over 100 organizations aligned to STEM education across New York City. It catalyzes new ideas, partnerships, and collaborative projects that expand, enrich, and sustain STEM learning opportunities for individuals of all ages in NYC. This multi-sector coalition includes city agencies, schools, afterschool programs, youth-serving organizations, museums, cultural institutions, universities, public and private funders, and intermediaries. Through the Network, these stakeholders collaborate to ensure that all learners in NYC develop the essential skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and communication, necessary to become STEM-literate citizens prepared for careers.
About ExpandED Schools:
ExpandED Schools is a NYC-based nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that all young people in New York City have access to enriching afterschool programs that affirm their identities, teach them valuable skills, and spark new possibilities in and out of the school day. In order to achieve this mission, ExpandED provides K–12 afterschool programs with curricula and support and professional development and resources for educators; and advances the afterschool sector through policy and research. Since its founding in 1998, when it created the nation’s first citywide system of K–12 afterschool programming, the organization has expanded opportunities for more than 1.1 million kids so that all children, from every zip code, can access opportunities to discover their talents and develop their full potential.
