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APS Foundation Changes Focus Toward Supporting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education Goal to Create a More Competitive Arizona Workforce

02/09/2012

PHOENIX - With a new year comes a new approach for the APS Foundation. Arizona student performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, commonly referred to as STEM, is now the focus of the private, grant-making charity.

“In order for Arizona to be competitive in the global economy, the state’s workforce must be competent in core STEM skills,” said Tammy McLeod, Vice President of the APS Foundation. “A workforce proficient in these skills is critical to retaining and attracting high-quality businesses and industries.”

Of the 30 fastest-growing occupations projected through 2016, more than half will require mastery within the STEM subjects, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Arizona student performance in STEM subjects continues to lag behind the rest of the nation.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 29 percent of Arizona 8th graders are proficient in math and only 22 percent are proficient in science.

To best equip Arizona’s future leaders, the APS Foundation is supporting programs that improve STEM learning by awarding grants twice a year, in May and November. A majority of the funding will go to teachers, who are broadly credited as the single most important factor in the K-12 educational system.

“The Foundation is targeting those programs that help educators increase content knowledge in STEM subjects or strengthen their teaching techniques,” said McLeod. “By supporting STEM teachers the Foundation is having an ongoing, tangible impact on increasing academic achievement.”

Applications and more information on grant eligibility can be found at www.aps.com by clicking on the “APS Foundation” link.

The APS Foundation was founded in 1981 as an independent 501(c)(3) organization. During the last 30 years the Foundation has been a source of support to help ensure a strong Arizona, providing more than $30 million to worthy causes.

Contacts

Media:
Steven Gotfried, (602) 250-3040

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