Digi-Bridge Awarded BWF Student STEM Enrichment Grant
$2.1 million approved for 13 informal STEM programs in North Carolina
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – Digi-Bridge is thrilled to be one of several STEM education programs across North Carolina to receive Student STEM Enrichment grant awards from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF). The Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) will provide Digi-Bridge with $180,000 over three years to support educational opportunities that take place outside of traditional classroom time.
The BWF Board of Directors approved $2.1 million in funding for 13 programs located throughout North Carolina.
“For more than two decades, the Fund has supported programs that provide hands-on STEM education activities,” said President Dr. John Burris. “This provides relevant experience in STEM with the goal of enrichment and exposure in STEM fields.”
With these funds, Digi-Bridge can take its computer and robotics programming to more scholars.
“Digi-Bridge is excited to expand our impact with Burroughs Wellcome Fund – together we will continue developing our state’s STEM talent pipeline,” said Digi-Bridge Founder and CEO David Jessup, Jr.. “BWF believes in what we can do for our community and our growth potential within the state.”
Since 2014, Digi-Bridge has been working with CMS schools to provide STEM programming to K-8 learners. This gift will solidify this district-wide partnership.
“Digi-Bridge helps build futures for our students not just by equipping them with specific skills, but by harnessing their imaginations. Students are inspired to achieve in a digital world when we transform education from a passive experience for them to active participation through Digi-Bridge opportunities. CMS is proud to partner with Digi-Bridge and is grateful to the partners who are investing in students through their commitments to Digi-Bridge,” said CMS Superintendent Dr. Clayton Wilcox.
Since 1996, the Fund has provided funding to 240 organizations for a total of $36.2 million dollars in informal STEM education. As of 2017, SSEP has reached an estimated 38,000 N.C. students. The Fund’s giving has spanned all 100 counties in North Carolina through out-of-school time, inquiry-based STEM programming. Selection of the programs is highly competitive. The Fund received 89 applications from non-profit organizations across the state in 2018.
“We aim to help improve student competence in science, “ said Program Officer Alfred Mays, who oversees the program. “These programs help nurture a student’s enthusiasm for STEM.”
The recipients of the 2018 Student STEM Enrichment Program are:
Alamance Community College
Medical Bridge for Minority Males (Minority Males in Medicine)
Digi-Bridge, Inc.
Programming & Robotics Across North Carolina
Duke University
The World We Live In: Geology, Hydrology, Climatology, Biology, Chemistry of the Environment of Northeastern North Carolina
East Carolina University
Renewable Energy and Green Manufacturing Academy for Rural Middle School Students in Eastern North Carolina
East Carolina University
Discoveries in Earth Science (DES) for Students with Blindness or Visual Impairments
Elizabeth City State University
Drone Exploration Academy: Engaging Students in Real-World Engineering Design and Scientific Investigation Using Drones
Elizabeth City State University
IMMERSE (Innovating, Mentoring, and Managing Emergency Response through STEM Enrichment)
North Carolina State University
Falls Lake Partners in Forensic Science
Orange County Schools
Engineering Solutions
Pfeiffer University
Project GENES: Genetics Education for the Next Era of Science
SouthEastern Regional Vision for Education
AASTC Scholarships for Students Experiencing Homelessness
University of North Carolina-Pembroke
The Kids in the Garden: Bees and Pollen Studies
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Girls in STEM: A Piedmont Triad Initiative
Based in Charlotte, N.C., Digi-Bridge aims to equip shareholders with the means to foster optimal use of technology in the learning environment, ensuring that all 21st century learners have opportunities to succeed in the digital age.
Please direct all media inquiries to David@digi-bridge.org.
