The Dayton Regional STEM School launches its Growing Together Campaign with the help of Vectren, who provided a lead gift to kick off the fundraising campaign.
The Growing Together Campaign will fund the school's 30,000-square-foot expansion project to create five new classrooms, a science lab, assembly space, flexible learning laboratory, and new home for the Air Force Research Laboratory's 711th Human Performance Wing's Gaming Research Integration for Learning Laboratory (the GRILL®). The $2 million project will allow the school to increase its population by roughly 120 students by 2025, giving more children access to this innovative and engaging learning environment.
The school is pleased to announce that $1.25 million has been raised already, bringing the organization more than halfway to its goal. The remaining $750,000 will be the target of the Growing Together Campaign that encourages donations from parents, partners, alumni, and other valued stakeholders.
Vectren has committed a generous $100,000 toward the Vectren Innovation Lab, the flexible learning space with an industrial vibe for students to design and fabricate STEM projects. Vectren has been a strong STEM partner for several years, partnering with the school on its engineering career pathway, both as a sponsor and through employee expertise on design challenges and career exploration opportunities.
"We are excited to partner with the Dayton Regional STEM School on the Vectren Innovation Lab. Meeting the needs of the region's high-tech workforce for both today and tomorrow is an ever-increasing challenge. Supporting programs like the engineering pathway and expanding access to the school is critical to preparing students to fill those shoes," says Colleen Ryan, president of Vectren Delivery of Ohio.
The State of Ohio has also committed $1 million through its capital budget toward the renovation and relocation of the GRILL® to the Dayton Regional STEM School's facility. The GRILL® is an existing educational outreach program that engages teachers and students in modeling and simulation technology.
In collaboration with AFRL, Vectren, and the many other invaluable community partners, expanding the STEM School's footprint allows for the opportunity to make a greater impact in the Dayton region and continue to foster student success.
"The Growing Together Campaign reflects our mission of preparing students for the real world, and we're grateful for the support that has brought the campaign to this important stage," says Superintendent, Robin Fisher. "We invite the community to join our parents, Board of Trustees, and partners by investing in STEM education, innovation, and the region's future workforce."
For more information on the progress of the Growing Together Campaign, visit daytonstemschool.org/supportus.
