The Bosch Community Fund (BCF), in conjunction with leadership at Bosch’s New Richmond and Shell Lake, Wis., facilities, recently awarded nearly $45,000 to two school districts to support nine projects, all of which are designed to allow students to apply their learning in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in hands-on, experiential settings.
This latest gift continues the work that the BCF began about two years ago when it began working collaboratively with the communities in which Bosch does business to support various educational and community groups who seek to advance STEM education and environmental sustainability.
“Bosch is very proud to make these grant awards,” said George Berg, commercial director of Bosch Packaging and lead for the New Richmond and Shell Lake Community Service teams. “The caliber of the projects that the communities submitted was really terrific. In reading their grant requests, we could see that considerable thought was put into the proposals. Clearly, those who submitted the proposals understand that learning goes far beyond the four walls of the traditional classroom setting. They want to engage students in learning the latest technology and create innovative activities that allow students to learn and apply the STEM-related skills both individually and in teams. And, as students do so, the experience of their teachers is there to guide them.”
Grants were awarded to the following projects at Shell Lake Schools:
• Alternative/Renewable Energy Kits: This $6,500 grant will support the purchase of alternative/renewable energy kits. This kit includes a solar collection station and wind generator to show how much energy can be generated on the school property using renewable sources of energy. Students in grades K-12 will benefit from learning about this technology through hands-on experimentation, demonstration and mentorship. These STEM-related activities are directly linked to the core curricula taught at the various grade levels.
• Robotics Kits: This $5,230 grant will support the purchase of Robotics Kits and accessories – including LEGO MindStormsEV3, Robo TC Automation Robots, Technical Revolutions, Beginner Robotics, Fun With Physics, Oeco Energy, Optics and Mechanic and Static Engineering – to expand the Shell Lake Schools robotics program. Currently, the district owns one robot kit, which can be used by only one student at a time. These additional kits will expand the program district-wide giving all Shell Lake students the opportunity to learn the skills of teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking and creativity.
• 3D Design and Prototype Package Kits: This $5,000 grant will support the purchase of 3D Design and Prototype package kits for the Shell Lake Technology and Engineering Education Department. This package will allow students to use solid-modeling software to design and create a product and take it from inception to a prototype reality. Exposure of this caliber will benefit technology education students in grades eighth through 12th grade by providing them with real-world design and problem-solving skills.
• Science Olympiad: This $3,000 grant will support building materials, transportation, lodging and tournament entry fees for Shell Lake students to participate in the Science Olympiad. The Science Olympiad is an extracurricular club for students that brings science to life, shows how science works and emphasizes the problem-solving aspects and understanding of science concepts.
Grants were awarded to the following projects at New Richmond Schools:
• High Mileage Vehicle Program: This $10,000 grant supports the New Richmond High Mileage Vehicle Program in which students design and manufacture a car. Although many of the components are manufactured in the school’s metal shop, for safety reasons students must purchase some of the components such as wheels and sprockets. The car is driven by students in various competitions held throughout the state.
• Bridgeport Mill: This $4,650 grant supports the purchase of a Bridgeport mill. This mill will expand the New Richmond teaching stations and give students in machining classes hands-on experience in machining parts on a three-axis machine. This machine will help prepare students for work and post-secondary opportunities.
• Cubify CubeX 3D Printer: This $2,500 grant supports the purchase of a Cubify CubeX 3-D printer. This printer will give students the opportunity to work with new technology in 3D printing. Students will print and see their CAD designs and enhance their understanding of the design and manufacturing process.
• VEX Kits: This $950 grant will support the purchase of 10 VEX Kits. These kits are part of the New Richmond engineering curriculum and will allow students to work on electro-mechanical simulations and provide real-life engineering opportunities. The New Richmond pre-engineering program is a Project Lead the Way program, and the kits are necessary for the school to maintain its status as a certified Project Lead the Way school.
Grant to the New Richmond Area Community Foundation:
• New Richmond Library – Early Literacy Station: This $7,000 grant will support the purchase of two Early Literacy Stations for the New Richmond Library. The Early Literacy Station is an educational computer workstation that provides access to information and quality education to children pre-school age through the third grade. The Early Literacy Station includes software packages with age-appropriate materials in reading, math, science and social studies. These literacy stations are in 40 percent of libraries across the country.
