The EQT Foundation has awarded $40,000 in grant funding to support two Pennsylvania College of Technology educational programs benefitting students in grades K-12.
STEMFest, a hands-on engagement day celebrating engineering and technical careers, and the Community Arts Center’s Educational Series, providing annual arts programming and classroom resources, will each receive $20,000, thanks to the generous award.
“Engaging with students both through project-based learning, as well as through the arts, helps to foster critical-thinking and problem-solving skill development,” said Ellen Rossi, president of the EQT Foundation. “Our partnership with Penn College to help deliver these programs in Northeastern Pennsylvania has been such a meaningful partnership over the years, and we are glad to continue programming for families across the board.”
A $20,000 gift from the EQT Foundation is supporting STEMFest at Pennsylvania College of Technology. At last year’s STEMFest, nearly 300 middle school students and teachers from 13 schools in 10 counties learned from professionals including Vii J. Rice (left), assistant professor of polymer technology at Penn College.
Last year’s STEMFest welcomed nearly 300 middle school students and teachers to Penn College’s main campus in Williamsport. Representing 13 schools in 10 counties, the attendees were engaged in programming robots, creating electrical circuits and constructing popsicle-stick bridges, among other applied-technology challenges.
“The EQT Foundation’s generous support will allow us to both continue and enhance our efforts through STEMFest, a one-day event which brings hundreds of middle school students to campus for hands-on workshops where they explore, create and dream big about their futures in science, technology, engineering and math,” said Shanin L. Dougherty, corporate relations officer at Penn College. “This grant funding will enable us to ignite curiosity and inspire the next generation of innovators.”
The Educational Series at the Community Arts Center, an arts venue owned and operated by Penn College in downtown Williamsport, exposes thousands of students from nine area school districts to theater arts and provides supporting resources and lesson plans designed to enhance students’ experiences.
“Support from the EQT Foundation will help the Community Arts Center improve and enhance educational opportunities to thousands of regional K-12 students, through its Educational Series,” said Ana Gonzalez-White, college relations officer for CAC development. “This program is crucial to the community, as it fosters a love of the arts and exposure to theatrical performances and brings students into the historic theater annually. We are very grateful for this investment in our youth and our community.”
The EQT Foundation has also granted $20,000 to the Educational Series at Penn College’s Community Arts Center, which offers live performances to K-12 students from nine area school districts. Here, youngsters enter the historic theater in downtown Williamsport.
The EQT Foundation has been a consistent supporter of Penn College and is a member of its Visionary Society (gifts of $100,000 to $499,999). The foundation is featured on the college’s Donor Wall, which pays permanent tribute to individuals, families, organizations and businesses who have made significant contributions to the college.
Since its inception, the EQT Foundation has awarded nearly $80 million to nonprofits throughout EQT Corp.’s operational footprint in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The foundation’s funding priorities are focused in three areas: community enrichment, education and workforce, and the environment.
For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
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