Foundation BH Gives $120K to Help Schools' STEM Program Launch

The Foundation BH, the newly formed for the Beverly Hills Education Foundation, presented $120,000 check to the Board of Education Tuesday night to help fund the newly launched sixth grade STEM program at every kindergarten through eighth grade school in the district.

“This funding from The Foundation is vital," said Supt. Gary Woods, noting the past two U.S. Presidents launched educational campaigns to address the fact that the country's students were behind others in technology and engineering.

"Our new STEM program helps make our students competitive on a level," he added. "If we are going to remain competitive and continue to be innovative, our students need to have these subjects as a priority. This is a national issue."

In addition to the $120,000 donation by The Foundation BH, each kindergarten through eighth grade PTA contributed $10,000 to fund the installation of a STEM lab at each K-8 school with 15 CAD computers, lab tables and chairs, and professional STEM training for the teachers.

The STEM program is designed to enhance education in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, corresponding with the national education movement to improving the nation’s competitiveness in technology development.

Last summer The Foundation BH piloted a summer school program at Beverly Hills High School targeting students in grades six through eight, which received rave reviews.

“STEM is one of our success stories, and a prime example of how donations are hard at work for our students," said Ronit Stone, Foundation BH president. "So, get out your checkbooks and donate now.”

Complementing the district’s commitment to enhancing STEM education (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), the summer program, which will be offered next summer, was specifically designed as a fun, hands-on learning experience incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics, otherwise referred to as STEAM.

“Every middle school student takes a STEM course in which they learn design, modeling, robotics, AutoCad, and use a 3-D printer for various projects," said Jennifer Tedford, chief academic officer at Beverly Hills Unified School District. "Our middle school teachers are collaborating with each other on projects and are focused on our STEM-central question: How do we build positive change, connections, and responsibility in a global society?"

The Foundation is a volunteer-driven organization that raises funds to directly enrich the public school experience in each of the five public schools in Beverly Hills. For more information, visit its new website.