Education group receives FIRST funding

BOISE --An Idaho state education coalition has received a $50,000 from the FIRST STEM Equity Community Innovation grant to fund programs for underrepresented and underserved students in Idaho public schools. It will also help communities develop new strategies for addressing equity, inclusion and diversity-based inequities in the science, technology, education and math fields. 

The FIRST Idaho Coalition is calling this the FIRST Fueling Futures in Idaho Project, or the F3 Idaho Project. Through F3 Idaho Project, the Coalition aims to establish a FIRST team in every county in Idaho, provide training for FIRST coaches and mentors, and supply funds to support Idaho teams. Of particular interest are the more rural areas and underrepresented groups, who often lack access to quality STEM educational programs. The Idaho STEM Action Center has also pledged to fully match the $50,000 award, allowing the project to serve even more students.

The national FIRST program launched the STEM Equity Community Innovation Grants this year to ensure more students and communities are exposed to creative problem-solving and hands-on learning opportunities regardless of their economic or social backgrounds. Applications were evaluated based on alignment with FIRST in its goal of: increasing diversity; demographics affected; community need; execution strength; track record of serving targeted students; and the value of proposed activities.

Grant sponsors include Alcoa Foundation, Boeing, and Microsoft, among others, and the FIRST Idaho Coalition will receive resources and support from FIRST as it develops its programs.

“The need exists across the state and the nation for qualified and diverse STEM professionals,” said Angela Hemingway, Director of the Idaho STEM Action Center. “The F3 Idaho Project aims to provide K-12 students throughout the state with opportunities to learn about the exciting fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics so that they are inspired to go into STEM fields. Participation in FIRST provides students the 21st-century STEM skills that will be needed to fill Idaho jobs, such as problem-solving, collaboration and critical thinking.”

FIRST Idaho will host a webinar on August 31, 2016 at 9 a.m. for those interested in learning more about FIRST, the F3 Idaho Project and how to apply for funding to support a FIRST team.

Information: http://idahoafterschool.org/first-2/