Local Farmers Help TASD Earn $10,000 Grant to Improve STEM Education
The money was used to purchase a new welding simulator for the Career and Technology Department
The FFA students were presented with a $10,000 grant
The Tyrone Area FFA received a $10,000 grant from America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, to provide enhanced learning opportunities for Tyrone Area High School students.
Farmers in Tyrone, Warriors Mark, Spruce Creek and Sinking Valley nominated the district for the award.
A group of science and math teachers from across the United States then reviewed each submission and selected Tyrone as a finalist. Finally, the program’s Farmer Advisory Council, which is composed of approximately 30 leaders from across the country, selected Tyrone as one of the $10,000 Grow Rural Education Grant recipients.
According to Monsanto, the grant program was established because “our country’s next generation of leaders will need to be highly-skilled in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).”
The money was used to purchase a new welding simulator for the Agricultural and Career and Technology Department.
The device is a virtual reality welding simulator that enables students to rapidly refine basic welding skills, learn proper welding technique and explore welding career paths in a safe, virtual environment without consumables like metal and gas.
“Thanks to the Agricultural Education Advisory committee and community farmers, the ag program continues to build upon Bill Hoover’s thoughts of ‘agriculture is now about sun, soil, and wind to produce food, fiber and fuel’,” said Tyrone FFA Adviser Tiffany Hoy. “Through the simulators, the program is able to save costs, yet teach the basic skills of speed, angle and distance. Those that master these skills will then move into the welding booths.”
The America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program began in 2011. Since then, they have awarded over $16 million to over 750 rural school districts to enhance STEM education. For a complete list of all the winners and to learn more about the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program, visit www.GrowRuralEducation.com.
The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work.
