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Below is the full list of 2020 recipients of Facebook's Community Action Grants, a program created to address needs in Rutherford, Cleveland, McDowell, Polk and Henderson counties by putting the power of technology to use for community benefit, connecting people online or off, and improving STEM education. We are invested in the long-term vitality of the community and this year, 13 outstanding nonprofits and schools were awarded grants to support their work.
• Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland County / $25,000: This grant will support a STEM program in Cleveland County for the Boys & Girls Club. The grant will cover new hardware for the club and equipment for a technology infrastructure upgrade to reach over 130 at-risk students who attend club programs throughout the week.
• East McDowell Middle School / $6,198: This grant will help make learning visible and accessible to all collaborators using a Google Jamboard, an interactive smartboard. All students will have access to the Jamboard app on their Chromebook and will be able to communicate to the Jamboard easily, making learning inclusive for all levels.
• East Rutherford High School / $19,291: This grant will support STEM materials for students including Spheros, Ozobots, LEGO Mindstorms, Piper computer kits, and virtual reality sets. These hands-on materials will support overall educational growth for East Rutherford High School.
• Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School / $4,225: This grant will support the opportunity for Camp Shining Stars students to attend a Barrier Island Eco Tour in Charleston, South Carolina. Through engaging activities, these student leaders will focus on animal and plant adaptations, invasive species, and problems associated with water contamination and pollutants.
• Isothermal Community College / $15,000: This grant will support APEX and Essential Education online software. Providing this online system will give students in Rutherford County who face different barriers the access needed to complete their high school degrees.
• McDowell County Schools / $5,000: This grant will support the program materials for Camp Opportunity. The free day camp provides up to 150 low-income campers with the opportunity to learn about a different career each day through exploration and activities.
• Mount Vernon-Ruth Elementary / $2,930: This grant will support the purchase of equation balance scale kits to ensure kids have hands-on math learning. The equipment will be used across 17 classrooms within the school.
• Old Fort Elementary / $14,615 : This grant will support the purchase of materials for a STREAM Lab (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math). The lab will include an Augmented Reality Sandbox, K'NEX building sets, and virtual reality goggles, as well as quality literature that supports science-based learning concepts.
• Polk County Schools / $45,400: This grant will help to purchase hands-on STEM equipment and mobile units to engage students across subjects. STEM units will incorporate Sphero, Jimu, Ozobot robots, Snap Circuits, LEGO Coding Train Kits, and K'NEX Simple Machines.
• Rutherford County Library System / $1,900: This grant will support the purchase of 3D printing pens and makerspace materials for the library. The library will also host STEM workshops for the community using the makerspace materials.
• Rutherford County Schools / $21,090: This grant will support the Camp Innovate Summer Enrichment Program for gifted learners in Rutherford County. Campers will research aerospace career opportunities and past space missions, build and code Ozobots and LEGO Prime robots to simulate Mars missions, construct and launch rockets, and collaborate with team members to simulate successful space missions.
• Rutherford County Schools Education Foundation / $24,427: This grant will support Rutherford County Schools Educational Foundation with its website development needs and recognition of educators within the community.
• Rutherford Early College High School (REaCH) / $25,000: This grant will support new equipment costs for competitions and technology for the REaCh robotics and STEM program. The REaCH robotics program provides a unique opportunity for eighth graders and high school students from across Rutherford County Schools to engage in hands-on experiences with real-world STEM applications.
