Downers Grove Grade School District 58 congratulates the Fairmount PTA for earning a $1,000 STEM + Families Grant from the National PTA and Mathnasium. The Fairmount PTA used this funding to host an interactive STEM + Families Math Night on Thursday, Jan. 24.
“During STEM + Families Math Night, Fairmount families immersed themselves in fascinating hands-on math-centered activities,” said Lisa Niforatos, principal of Fairmount School. “This was a fantastic evening! I enjoyed seeing our families discover new, highly-engaging math activities, especially since many of the activities could easily be replicated at home for continued family learning. Thank you, PTA and Mathnasium for giving us this memorable learning experience!”
Fairmount PTA is one of only 35 PTAs nationwide selected to receive a grant through the STEM + Families initiative. The grant recognizes the Fairmount PTA’s leadership and commitment to increasing access to STEM—and particularly math—experiences for Downers Grove children and families.
“We know—and decades of research proves—that families play a critical role in children’s success and achievement. We also know that parents and guardians have the biggest influence on a child’s educational and career decisions,” said Jim Accomando, president of National PTA, in a statement. “Family engagement is essential to strengthen STEM education, bridge the STEM gap and help all children realize their fullest potential. We’re thrilled to empower Fairmount PTA with resources to engage families in math education.”
STEM + Families is a national effort to engage entire families in STEM experiences at school, at home, in the community and with digital learning environments to support their students’ success in STEM. The goal of the initiative is to fill a critical gap in STEM education, increase access to STEM experiences for all students and inspire the next generation of STEM professionals. National PTA launched STEM + Families with the support of Mathnasium.
For more information about the STEM + Families initiative, visit PTA.org/STEM.