PITTSBURGH — In a warehouse tucked away on Pittsburgh Side South are 4,000 boxes that will benefit local students’ education in big ways.
The non-profit ASSET STEM Education gave Channel 11's Brandon Hudson a behind the scenes look at how they're helping shape the future of education in Pittsburgh, specifically in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
"We want to see the devotement of kids go from being literate in the STEM fields to being fluent in the STEM fields,” said ASSET STEM Executive Director Dr. Cynthia Pulkowski.
One way ASSET STEM is making that happen is through their newly formed scholarship program.
Pulkowski said it started when instead of having a 20th anniversary dinner, the non-profit used its donations and funds for scholarships given to local schools and organizations to get materials and resources for students.
"You want those students to be our creators. You want them to be our innovators. In order to do that, the learning has to be in the classroom," said Pulkowski.
Inside each of the 4,000 boxes are science-related materials: a thermometer, tornado tubes and bubble bottles. All the materials are aimed at giving children a hands-on grasp at learning the weather.
"It will help them learn a lot more than what they would have by just me talking to them,” said Dennis Holderbaum, the head science teacher at Academy Charter School.
Academy Charter School is one the local schools working with ASSET STEM Education."To have this back when I started would have been awesome. To have this as a student, I would have learned so much more,” said Holderbaum.
Pulkowski said the biggest challenge teachers face is finding resources that will last.
"They want things that will make a difference. They want students to be engaged,” said Pulkowski.
So far, ASSET STEM has helped 5,500 students and more than 200 educators from pre-K to career level.
Beneficiaries must meet the following criteria: A high number of students who receive free and reduced lunches A high minority population
The non-profit’s reach also includes organizations like the YMCA and Library Association of Allegheny County.
"They want them to have a future, and that future is because of the education they will receive,” said Pulkowski.
Pulkowski said they’ve had two rounds of scholarships and are working on a third.
Eleven candidates are already wait-listed.
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