Content excerpted from a foundation press release. Read the full release here.

This week Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s STEM 2035 Cohort will hold its first kick off meeting in Detroit.

Through the foundation, grants were awarded to 17 afterschool and summer science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs serving kids in grades 6-12 in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Pontiac and Western New York.

Grantees were selected based on a variety of factors, including their focus on middle and high school girls and underrepresented groups in the STEM field and innovative approaches to program expansion or new programming.

“During the next 16-plus years of our foundation’s spend down, we are looking to these organizations to not only equip young leaders for the STEM industry today, but to create pathways that will allow for success beyond our exit,” Amber Slichta, vice president of programs, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation said. “There are obvious gaps that prevent underrepresented groups from pursuing STEM in their education, careers and training. Through this initiative, we hope to fill these gaps and better prepare the next generation’s workforce.”

In addition to receiving funding for their programs, grantees will also be a part of the STEM 2035 peer learning community. Through this group, they will receive training and technical assistance, try new evaluation tools and quality improvement strategies, collaborate and learn together.

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