Funding Helps KFEC Go ‘Full Steam Ahead’

​The Gerber Foundation presented an $8,696 check to Ned Hughes of the Newaygo Conservation District for the Full STEAM Ahead-2 project.

Kropscott Environmental Center and Observatory provides hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Mathematics (STEAM) education to kindergarten through 12th grade students from Newaygo and surrounding counties.

The Gerber Foundation’s support will provide funding to conduct sessions for groups of up to 50 students at a time in the newly renovated barn. Programs include earth and space science; native wildlife; effects of human activities on water and soil; soil conservation, forest ecology, and other activities.

“The Gerber grant for STEAM 2 is of great importance to the Kropscott Farm Environmental Center,” said Hughes who serves on the Newaygo Conservation District  Board of Directors. “For this year, it gives us funding for faculty reimbursement, student supplies and student transportation.”

“Transportation support through the grant is a real blessing since most schools simply don’t have funding available. We work closely with each school to make sure there is a specific need for support,  and provide that as necessary.

“Without the grant, we would have struggled to meet student needs this year. That’s for sure!”

The Gerber Foundation supports youth activities and programming in Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. Over $110,000 was awarded to West Michigan agencies during the most recent spring ’17 funding cycle.  Deadlines for grant requests are March 15 and September 15 of each year.
 

---