Bosch Foundation Grants Support STEM Education

The charitable fund created by Farmington Hills-based Robert Bosch LLC recently awarded $35,000 for STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education projects in 23 Detroit elementary and secondary schools. 

The Fund made similar awards for Farmington Public Schools projects in 2012. 

According to a company press release, the donations reflects Bosch's concerns about whether the next-generation work force will be ready to move into the 274,000 STEM jobs that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates will be open in Michigan by 2018. 

"STEM education is imperative to Michigan and the nation's future economic growth," said Kathleen Owsley, Bosch Community Fund executive director. "Bosch seeks to support schools that promote STEM, in ways that foster excitement among students for these fields." 

The Bosch Energy, Science and Technology (BEST) grant program supported teacher-submitted projects that range from building a remotely operated vehicle for a submarine environment to creating a robotics program for elementary students. Teachers submitted project proposals that outline their goals and objectives, and the short-term and long-term impacts on their schools, students and the community. 

In addition to the individual grants, the Fund contributed $10,000 toward Detroit Public Schools' Go Green Challenge, which encourages school Green Teams to engage in sustainability initiatives, which competing for prizes and cash awards.