INK! receives AT&T Foundation grant for Nease, Creekside students

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The St. Johns County Education Foundation which operates as INK! (Investing in Kids), has an ongoing mission to provide innovative programs and classroom resources to promote the academic success of students in the St. Johns County School District.

The nonprofit was recently honored with funding for students at Allen D. Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, and Creekside High School in St. Johns. The schools will benefit from a statewide investment by the AT&T Foundation this year, one that seeks to increase understanding of how classroom curriculum translates into STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers.  

Specifically, the $2,000 funding for each school will include program administration by INK! and student scholarships in the ACE Mentor Programs for students with disciplines in architecture, construction and engineering (ACE), and exploration of potential careers in these fields. Mentors from local industry professional firms and related companies will meet with students for two hours once a week for 20 weeks. During the sessions, students are presented with a request for proposal (RFP) and work in teams to create hands-on, practical solutions for real-world projects. For more information, view the video at AT&T 2020-21 STEM@Work Grant Awards.

According to Donna Lueders, INK!’s executive director, ACE is an effective way for students to experience the reality of what architects, contractors and engineers do during a typical working day. The program culminates with a year-end event where teams present projects for judging with plans for presentations to industry stakeholders such as future employers, family, friends and the general public. As part of the event, senior students are presented with scholarships to help fund their continued education.

For the 11th consecutive year, AT&T is working with the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (Consortium) to provide experiential learning opportunities for students in school districts across Florida through STEM@Work.

Actual application of STEM education concepts, problem-solving and critical thinking skills will all be key elements of the 35 separate projects to be organized and funded through Consortium member local education foundations, including INK!.

“We are honored to be awarded the grant which follows our mission, programs and services to promote STEM initiatives and exemplary student activities plus performance,” Lueders said. “We strive for an interdisciplinary approach to public education where rigorous academic concepts and everyday lessons can be applied to STEM.”

“Industries engaged in STEM disciplines will create many of the high-value, high-wage jobs of tomorrow. We also know that many jobs today and in the future will require education beyond a high school degree,” said Joe York, president, AT&T Florida. “The consortium and other organizations are key to ensuring that young people are exposed to the educational and skills development opportunities to prepare them for success in their careers.”

This year’s statewide grant brings the total investment by the AT&T Foundation to more than $1 million for more than 11 years. More than 75,000 students have been directly impacted through 469 projects involving 932 local workplace partners in 53 school districts throughout Florida.

“When I think back on my school years, the times I got to do something hands-on and outside the classroom are my strongest memories. Some of those experiences influenced my career path,” said Mary Chance, president of the consortium. “We are so grateful that the AT&T Foundation continues to see the value of giving students experiences which allow them to experience how math and science are applied in careers through STEM@Work.”