Boeing Supports Education to Increase Graduates Ready for High Demand Jobs

Boeing has awarded the Decatur City Schools Foundation a $50,000 grant to bring industry-relevant education to more than 360 7th-12th grade students in Decatur City Schools.

The Engineering Green Power project will prepare students for high-demand, high-wage careers in engineering and advanced manufacturing by providing materials, tools, and equipment for 7th-12th grade engineering courses.

This project addresses a local community need of responding to the increasing demand in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) job markets, specifically because of the heavy influence that North Alabama plays in defense industries, the space program, aeronautics, and aerospace industries. Graduates ready to work with STEM skills are highly sought after by industry in Decatur and the surrounding region.

Engineering Green Power will help to bridge the gap from hands-on exploration to greater proficiency in math and science classes. Exposure to STEM skills in an engaging atmosphere such as the Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing courses that have up-to-date, industry-relevant materials, tools, and equipment will also increase the number of students selecting STEM career fields that often lead to lucrative jobs.

The Foundation, through Engineering Green Power, seeks to increase the number of students learning tangible job skills and increase overall student participation in these STEM courses for the long-term economic benefit of our community. Graduating more students ready for these skilled trade careers or ready to pursue postsecondary education in STEM will help to fill the gap between the numbers of jobs available as compared to the current number of graduates ready to fill these jobs.

Because of the investments in our local industries indicating jobs to come in the near future, we believe the community as a whole will benefit from higher overall student performance, a respected school system renowned for STEM career preparation, and locally filled positions in Decatur's STEM industries.

For more information on the Decatur City Schools Foundation and programs it supports, visit www.decaturcsf.org.

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