Thanks to $167,000 in new grants from a San Antonio-based educational nonprofit, classrooms in 18 Texas schools will receive various upgrades to help further their students’ academic pursuits.
An October 27 news release announced the grants from TEXAS YES (Texas Youth Education Support project) will go towards upgrading classroom equipment including a new computer lab, robotics program elements, chicken coops, a 3D printer, iPads and smart boards, and the purchase of new library books.
For the first-time since its inception, the YES Grant shifted focus to include classroom improvements, which is a crucial need to a child’s education, TEXAS YES officials said.
“It’s incredible to help schools not only update library books, which has seen a huge lack of funding, but also help provide classroom equipment such as computers and even P.E. equipment,” TEXAS YES executive director Danielle Gunter stated in the release.
According to TEXAS YES, the following San Antonio-area schools and organizations are receiving grants: Koennecke Elementary School, CAST Med High School, Palo Alto Elementary School, Harmony School of Excellence, Burleson School of Innovation, Miguel Carrillo Jr. Elementary School, Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio, Patlan Elementary School, Spring Branch Middle School, West Campus High School, and Harlandale Independent School District.
The local grants total more than $100,000 in educational grants. The remaining funds have been distributed to schools in the Dallas and Austin areas.
Organization officials said TEXAS YES understands a high-quality STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education is critical to a student's efforts at forming a successful future.
TEXAS YES partnered up with local injury attorney and philanthropist Thomas J. Henry to create the TEXAS STEAM Grant, which provides students and teachers with funds to provide an effective STEAM education.
“Now more than ever it’s important to bridge the gap of educational inequality and give students the tools and resources they need to thrive in their academics,” said Henry in the release.
Grants are open to public, private, and charter elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as 501(c)3 nonprofits with a youth focus.
