STEM Center is one of 134 coming to elementary schools in the Permian Basin over the next five years
Odessa, Texas (September 30, 2022) Innovative educational spaces are coming to the Permian Basin, allowing generations of local students to stretch their imaginations and discover a love of scientific learning.
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation along with the Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP) teamed up to install a fully equipped science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) Center at Pease Elementary School this week. The center includes state-of-the-art STEM educational products, technology, furniture, and more for students of the local communities.
This STEM center is one of 134 to be installed over the next five years and one of 50 to be installed in 2022 through the $7.5 million partnership between the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and PSP that was announced earlier this year, which will reach over 60,000 students and 2,000 teachers in 22 counties. By the end of 2024, all elementary schools in the Permian Basin will have access to a new STEM Center as a result of the partnership.
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation staff will train teachers to deliver a STEM program with custom-designed STEM lessons and educational STEM products, as well as furniture and technology. The Ripken Foundation provides training, a lesson guidebook, educational products and technology to enhance the tools provided in the STEM Center.
An investment in education is an investment in our future workforce. We hope this new center will inspire students to explore STEM concepts and fields and continue to develop vital critical thinking skills, said Tracee Bentley, president and CEO of PSP. We are incredibly proud of our partnership with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and the positive impact these centers will have on our community.
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 to honor the legend and spirit of Cal Ripken, Sr. Focused on the values that Cal, Sr. embodied as a devoted coach and mentor, including leadership, work ethic, personal responsibility, and healthy living, the organization has opened 245 STEM Centers nationwide, among its other programs, helping strengthen America’s most underserved communities by supporting and advocating for children.
At the Foundation, we like to say that we can do some good on our own, but we can do great things with great partners. PSP is one of our great partners and is passionate about STEM and bringing these important centers to the students of the Permian Basin, said baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. Being exposed to STEM at a young age provides them with opportunities they may not otherwise discover. The work in this space with PSP is critically important and continues to grow.