PCEC News
Pair of grants support K-12 pipeline development and experiential education
March 18, 2024
PCEC has received grants from the Bosch Community Foundation and the
Michigan Afterschool Partnership to support development and deployment
of STEM summer camp programming.
The Bosch Community Fund
This fund prioritizes teacher support and efficacy, hands-on and project-based learning, equity, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability. It provides teachers, students, and local communities with the tools they need to create exceptional learning experiences and implement innovative approaches to education.
The PCEC Student Services Outreach team is collaborating with Kentwood Public school district, a neighbor to Robert Bosch Fuel Systems in Kentwood, to create aviation-themed programming for rising 1st through 5th graders. Kentwood High School has been refining a unique model where high school students serve as facilitators of the summer programming for elementary students within their district. It is a win-win-win high-impact experience for all the students involved, including GVSU Graduate students working on the project while completing a Master of Education. The elementary students learn about STEM and careers. The high school students are empowered to manage and teach small groups of kids. The GVSU graduate students develop lesson plans and work alongside administrators. The Bosch grant supports content development, material acquisition, training, and on-site support during the summer.
The Michigan Afterschool Partnership (MASP) Grant
The MASP grant has been awarded to PCEC and the Regional Math and
Science Center (RMSC) to support eight weeks of informal STEM Summer
Programming, coordinated by multiple departments at GVSU and targeting
different grade bands from kindergarten through eighth grade.
MASP champions statewide access to quality and equitable Out-of-School Time (OST) programs to ensure that all children and youth succeed. The GVSU Summer STEM Programming, inclusive of the Kentwood Kids Aviation Camp, the Science Technology & Engineering Preview Summer (STEPS) Camp, Advanced Manufacturing Camp, and Engineering is Elementary Camp qualifies for this grant in that programming is offered in various settings outside of a typical classroom environment, offered out-of-school time, and brings together students from diverse backgrounds.
Favorable outcomes for camp participants can include personal social-emotional growth, skill retention, new skill acquisition, and increased self-confidence. OST funding supports counselor wages, camper support and scholarships, consumable materials, and field trip bussing.