For the second consecutive year, AT&T is giving $28,000 to the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands to provide local teacher grants in the 2016-2017 school year to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics education throughout the territory.
The grants will range from $250 to $5,000 and are open to professionals in the U.S. Virgin Islands public school system to implement innovative projects in the classroom or school, according to CFVI. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis for projects that seek to improve student achievement in STEM fields, with priority given where students are directly involved in the project.
Project descriptions should be clear and well organized and a realistic budget must be provided. Activities should improve student learning and outcomes should be measurable and substantive, the foundation said in announcing the grants.
“We know that industries engaged in STEM disciplines will create a majority of high-value, high-wage jobs and within 10 years, almost nine out of 10 new jobs will require education beyond a high school degree,” said Joe York, AT&T president for Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“AT&T and our employees have a commitment that is deeply rooted in our culture to strengthening communities by advancing education opportunities. An educated workforce is critical to the future success of the U.S. Virgin Islands, our nation and the success of our company as well," York said said in the statement announcing the donation.
CFVI President, Dee Baecher-Brown, said the foundation is excited to get the donation again.
"Because of their support, V.I. teachers were able to provide enriching STEM opportunities for our students in the territory during the 2015-2016 school year," she said.
Applications for the 2016 U.S. Virgin Islands AT&T STEM Grants are available and must be submitted to CFVI no later than Nov. 18. Applications can be submitted through an online portal at cfvi.fluidreview.com. Successful applicants must agree to submit a brief written report, receipts for expenditures and, if possible, visual documentation on the use of the grant at the end of the grant cycle.
