Chemeketa Community College and its partners have received funding to introduce regional high school students to science, technology engineering and math (STEM) careers. The $75,000 grant was awarded to the South Metro-Salem STEM partnership which is a collaboration of school districts, businesses and higher education focused on increasing STEM opportunities for students. Partners for the grant are the Business Education Compact, Chemeketa, Oregon MESA and the Willamette Education Service District.
Funding was from the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF). The OCF awarded a total of $459,308 in grants to seven regional STEM hubs. The grants were funded from the $10 million donation Oracle made to OCF as part of its Cover Oregon settlement with the state. The grant money is directed toward serving traditionally under-served populations like low income and rural youth.
For the next three summers Chemeketa will offer a four-week summer course for students from North Salem, Amity, Central, Dallas, Dayton, Silver Falls and Woodburn high schools. Instruction will feature one-week rotations in drafting, robotics/electronics, machining and welding/fabrication. Industry professionals will teach the courses on professional-grade equipment focusing on career-relevant projects.
“We are thrilled with this opportunity to introduce young people to the rewarding careers they can enjoy in these fields,” said Larry Cheyne dean of Applied Technologies at Chemeketa
Greg Harris
Marketing Director
Chemeketa Community College
https://www.chemeketa.edu/
greg.harris@chemeketa.edu