Five STEM school teachers, below, meet in Kim Stanley’s English classroom as the entire student body, above, receives training from Apple technicians on the use of their new iPads Monday on the first day of school.The latest corporate donation to Hamilton County’s science, technology, engineering and math high school brings the project even closer to its fundraising goal of $500,000.
On Monday, local digital advertising agency Area 203 announced a $100,000 gift to the high school, which opened in August on the campus of Chattanooga State Community College.
Area 203 President Doug Freeman said his company relies on STEM-skilled employees to fill marketing, creative and technology positions.
“The future of our business certainly relies on you and others like you,” Freeman told the STEM school’s 75 students, who were in attendance for the announcement.
The gift brings total donations to $455,000, just shy of a $500,000 goal previously set to cover construction costs. The Hamilton County Board of Education used $500,000 from its reserve funds to get the STEM project under way. The donations will be used to replenish the school board’s reserves. Another $15,000 has been raised to purchase supplies for the school.