AT&T Awards $22,000 To Local Foundation For STEM Scholarships

ST. THOMAS — Joe York, AT&T president for Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, has announced that AT&T awarded a $22,000 contribution to the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands for local teacher grants in the 2015-2016 school year to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the territory, according to a recently issued press release.

The Virgin Islands STEM grants will range from $250 to $5,000, and are open to professionals in the territory’s public school system to implement an innovative project in the classroom or school. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis for projects that seek to improve student achievement in STEM fields with priority given to proposals where students are directly involved in the project, the project description is clear and well organized, creative strategies and activities are used to improve student learning, outcomes are measurable and substantive, and the budget is realistic, the release stated.

“We know that industries engaged in STEM disciplines will create a majority of high-value, high-wage jobs and within ten years, almost nine out of ten new jobs will require education beyond a high school degree.” stated York. “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.”

CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown stated, “We are thrilled to receive this generous contribution from AT&T. For the Community Foundation, this support represents the very best in philanthropy! The continued generosity of AT&T – the vision and long-term commitment to a successful STEM grant program – and the introduction of creative strategies to promote student learning.”

Applications for the 2015 Virgin Islands STEM Grants are available now and must be submitted to CFVI no later than Monday, November 23, 2015. Applications can be submitted through an online portal located 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 funding period.