ARDMORE – The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and its partner in an educational initiative, the Tennessee Valley Authority, continued their path across North Alabama dedicating facilities to benefit children and communities.
Sheffield and Huntsville were previous stops where the cohorts held ribbon-cutting for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) centers.
Ardmore was the site of Wednesday’s ceremony though it was a celebration for centers opening at three clubs: Ardmore Boys & Girls Club, Athens Boys and Girls Club, and Seminole Club in Huntsville.
Children at the three chapters now have access to modern, state of the art curriculum and tools for STEM education thanks to a $1.1 million grant from the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and TVA.
“We’re excited to partner with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to help provide opportunities for children across our region,” said Jeannette Mills, executive vice president and Chief External Relations Officer of TVA. “Our commitment to STEM has always been at the heart of TVA’s mission, and this new initiative gives us the chance to make an even more tangible impact and investment on the future of the STEM Workforce.”
The goal between TVA and Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation is to “create a brighter future for our children by capturing their interest with STEM activities, introducing them to new careers, and fostering critical thinking skills that improve test performance, self-esteem, and school attendance.”
The foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001, honors the legend and spirit of Cal Ripken Sr. The organization strives to maintain the values which Cal Sr. embodied as a devoted coach and mentor: leadership, work ethic, personal responsibility, and healthy living.
“I believe that we can do a lot of good things on our own, but with dedicated partners we can achieve great things,” said Cal Ripken Jr. at the first STEM center this month. “Our partnership with Tennessee Valley Authority is evidence of that.”
The Ripken Foundation/TVA partnership is opening centers across TVA’s seven-state region and each is equipped with six Chromebooks, a Tech Tub to safely store computers, a 3D printer, educational STEM products, a custom-designed curriculum tied to Next Generation Science Standards, a mobile workbench, seven elemental clover tables, and 28 stackable chairs.
Students will also have an opportunity to participate in the annual STEM Challenge, a national competition hosted by the Ripken Foundation.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
