Reading, PA – A grant has put in motion the Reading Science Center‘s plans for a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) program geared toward middle school-aged girls in Berks County.
The Giorgi Family Foundation will allocate $357,000 over the next three years for the science center to hire staff and develop a Girls-in-STEM program, which will involve recruiting participants, community mentors, and volunteers; providing internships for female science students at local colleges and universities; creating targeted partnerships with other STEM-focused organizations; and creating digital STEM resources for families and educators.
“We are incredibly grateful for this generous gift from the Giorgi Family Foundation,” said Jim Cinelli, founder of the Reading Science Center and principal at environmental consulting firm Liberty Environmental. “It will provide much-needed funding for middle school students to benefit from real-world STEM experiences and mentorships at a critical age in their development, when they are exploring interests and potential careers.”
The science center said it’s aiming to launch the program this spring with an initial cohort of 12 female middle school students. The plan is to double the number each year.