EDWARDS AFB – More than $7,000 in grants were awarded recently to seven local schools’ robotics and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teams, thanks to the Antelope Valley Chapter of the International Test and Evaluation Association.
The 2016 grant luncheon was held April 21 at the Integrated Facility for Avionics Systems Testing (IFAST) on Edwards Air Force Base. The students were also given tours of the flight simulators in the IFAST.
“The children are our future, so if we can inspire the kids to pursue careers in science and technology, to be able to understand the importance of engineering and mathematics, that is really the fundamental goal of our organization,” said Sean Conway, 2016 ITEA grants chairman. “We’re giving back to the kids and allowing them to see where they can go in the future if they choose to pursue a career in science and technology.”
The student clubs that received grants were from Antelope Valley High School, Joe Walker STEALTH Academy, Paraclete High School, Rosamond High School, Desert High School, Fulton and Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering and Tehachapi High School.
Each club submitted a grant proposal earlier in the year describing their needs and accomplishments in the areas of STEM.
“Our organization provides these grants to support technology-related programs that will provide a foundation for tomorrow’s engineers and scientists,” Conway said.
The Antelope Valley Chapter of ITEA has given away close to $200,000 in educational grants since their founding in 1996. Conway says ITEA raises funds through monthly luncheons and donations.
ITEA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit education organization with a mission of advancing the exchange of technical, programmatic, and acquisition information among the test and evaluation community. The organization is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, and has chapters throughout the world.
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