School briefs: 3M Foundation aids STEM efforts in Stillwater district

The 3M Foundation has provided the final piece of a three-year, $604,000 grant to help fund STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programming in the Stillwater Area Public Schools, the district announced recently.

The $152,000 donation ensures that every classroom in grades K-12 has the resources needed to fully implement STEM learning experiences, a district news release said.

During the past two years, the district phased in an "Engineering is Elementary" program that gave a few grade levels an engineering kit that students used to engage in the engineering design process and solve a real-world problem.

The 3M Foundation also purchased classroom materials and supplies to support the STEM initiative in the two junior highs and at Stillwater Area High School. The secondary-level curriculum has been provided by Project Lead The Way, a national nonprofit group.

"We are overwhelmed by the commitment the 3M Foundation has made to support high-quality STEM experiences for our students," Superintendent Corey Lunn said in a statement. "We are grateful for our community partners who are stepping up to provide our students with hands-on learning experiences that will prepare them for their future."

Students in a Project Lead The Way biomedical sciences program at East Ridge High School in Woodbury purchased $8 1 5 in supplies for children in Delhi, India, the South Washington County School District reported last month.

The supplies include toothpaste and toothbrushes, as well as antibiotic cream, Band-Aids, anti-itch cream, digital thermometers, soap and Q-Tips. The district said students also created 300 laminated lesson books about brushing teeth and treating wounds.

The 150 packages are going to Tender Hearts School Faridabad in the Delhi slums.

"It's very heartwarming to see our kids making a change globally," East Ridge science teacher Nancy Berg said in a news release.

Families in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District can obtain winter wear for free at an event being held Monday, Jan. 6, at North High in North St. Paul.

The giveaway is being sponsored by the school's AVID site team and runs from 6 to 7 p.m., a school district news release said. No registration is required. "Just come and shop for what you need," the district said.

The winter wear includes coats, hats, gloves, scarves and boots.

AVID is a college readiness program that targets students in the "academic middle" who have potential for higher performance.

Anthony Lonetree