AT&T Florida recently provided $100,000 to challenge Florida’s district-wide local education foundations to create STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) workplace experiences throughout the state this school year through a grant to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF).
The project’s aim is to provide students and teachers hands-on experiential learning opportunities outside the classroom that are directly linked to their coursework in science, technology, engineering and/or math. Through The Education Foundation of Collier County, Golden Gate and Naples High Schools have received grant funding to work with Structure Medical on a hands-on experience for students.
Structure Medical is a leading manufacturer of medical implant products that are used by orthopedic surgeons to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use these medical devices to treat trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, tumor and congenital conditions. Founded in 2004, the company uses the most advanced machine tools available to produce products that meet the highest quality standards.
“Structure Medical is excited to be part of such a wonderful opportunity for the young adults in our community. The STEM at WORK Project will provide the students new tools in understanding how science, technology, engineering and math are all vital to a successful business”, says Len Zaiser, Senior Vice President of Structure Medical.
Golden Gate High physics teacher, Jorge Agobian is working with Structure Medical on his project “The Physics behind Prosthetic Devices and Implants.” “When teaching a science subject like physics, one of the main obstacles is the dearth of real-world applications of the subject being covered. Being able to visit a facility like Structure Medical provided the students with plenty of invaluable real-world connections to the material they’ve been learning, as well as a first-hand glimpse of what a career in the sciences might involve”, says Jorge Agobian.
He and students visited Structure Medical on February 10th and had a full agenda for the day which included everything from the company’s history and business strategy to quality control. Students demonstrated eagerness to learn and asked great career oriented questions. “The experience at Structure Medical was enlightening. Who would have imagined that such an incredible amount of time and effort could be placed in the manufacturing of small objects,” says Golden Gate High student, Lira Vigo.
The second grant has been awarded to Bob Bentley, pre-engineering teacher from Naples High to work with Structure Medical on his grant titled “Engineering and Material Testing” to give students a hands-on real world view of practical applications in the engineering and engineering technology fields.
After visiting Structure Medical in early April, Naples High School student Sarah Connolly observed, “I thought it was interesting to see how the machines actually worked and how such a little titanium plate could help let someone live longer. The whole experience was really fascinating and sounded like a cool job.”
“Floridians need to ensure that our youth have the tools they need to maximize their individual efforts to become contributing members of society.” said Marshall Criser, III, AT&T Florida President. With the help from AT&T, CFEF and The Education Foundation of Collier County, this program will provide real life experiences that can help increase the number of Florida’s students graduating from high school college- and career-ready.
Both companies have been awarded the 2011 Commissioner of Education’s Business Recognition Award (CBRA) for extraordinary support of the Collier County School District. Over the past years, business involvement has had a significant impact on education.
This year, these companies are being recognized for providing the capacity grants to build the new website: www.GetOnTheBusCollier.org. As a one-stop, online resource, the website will have the functions that will allow students and families, educators and schools, and the community to connect and match interests and resources.
CenturyLink’s corporate vision is to help communities become stronger connected. This site will do just that in leveraging resources for education. “Providing a great education is like providing a big head start on life. CenturyLink supports young people because we want to help them achieve their fullest potential”, says Erik Zimmer, Vice President of CenturyLink.
Wells Fargo has a long history of supporting education. In fact, the company matches team members’ contributions to education foundations. “Our youth has a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives and seldom believe they have the influence to do so,” said Greg Hunter, vice president, senior private banker with Wells Fargo. “It’s important to get involved with our children at an early age so they understand first-hand how rewarding it is to give to the community.”
“We are grateful for the commitment, creativity and innovation that both companies bring to our community and schools,” states Kaleigh Grover, 2010-11 Chair of The Education Foundation. “Together, with business partners, we are providing an environment in which all children can maximize their educational opportunities.”
Both CenturyLink and Wells Fargo were recognized at the 24th Annual Commissioner’s Business Recognition Awards on June 9, 2011 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Tampa, and at a special recognition program locally at the May 17th meeting of the District School Board of Collier County.
About CenturyLink:
CenturyLink is the third largest telecommunications company in the United States. The company provides broadband, voice and wireless services to consumers and businesses across the country. It also offers advanced entertainment services under the CenturyLinkTM PrismTM TV and DIRECTV brands. In addition, the company provides data, voice and managed services to business, government and wholesale customers in local, national and select international markets through its high-quality advanced fiber optic network and multiple data centers. CenturyLink is recognized as a leader in the network services market by key technology industry analyst firms. CenturyLink’s customers range from Fortune 500 companies in some of the country’s largest cities to families living in rural America. Headquartered in Monroe, La., CenturyLink is an S&P 500 company and is included among the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations. For more information, visit www.centurylink.com.
About Wells Fargo:
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. We want to help all of our customers succeed financially and create long-term economic growth and quality of life for everyone in our communities. In 2010, the Company invested a record $219 million in grants in 19,000 nonprofits, and team members contributed more than 1.3 million volunteer hours around the country. For more information, please visit: www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr.
This year, The Education Foundation of Collier County has introduced two new awards: the “Heart of The Apple Award” and the “Get On The Bus Award” which will be featured at the 21st Annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on May 3, 2011. Congratulations to the recipients of the inaugural community-based awards.
“These awards highlight outstanding contributions toward education in our community, and we are thrilled to be able to share the significant impact these individuals and organizations have had on students,” states Kaleigh Grover, 2010-11 Chair of The Education Foundation.
The Heart of the Apple Award
The “Heart of the Apple” award recognizes an individual who has made a significant collective impact on education in our community. Mrs. Lavern Gaynor has a clear and unequivocal understanding that education for young people is the future of this community, as well as its link to the past. Her significant support over many years has planted the seeds to ensure a quality education for children in our community.
The Get On the Bus Award 
The “Get On the Bus” award highlights exemplary collaborative work that engages community with schools, ultimately benefitting students.
Enhanced Learning through Music, a collaborative music project in Immokalee, exemplifies “getting on the bus” with a program that has created two music programs at pre-K and elementary level, taught by Florida Gulf Coast University students from the Bower School of Music. The impact that the music instruction has had on student readiness and academic success has been tremendous.
Thanks to the key local partners: Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School of Music, Guadalupe Center, Alan Korest, Lucie Jenny MacCarthy Music Fund of the Community Foundation through The Education Foundation, Miracle Plus through The United Arts Council, Naples Music Club and Pinecrest Elementary.
Both awards will be featured at the 21st Annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration presented by the Suncoast for Kids Foundation on May 3, 2011 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. Media partners WINK-TV and Naples Daily News provide ongoing coverage of the program. Additional support is provided by the Mary Ingram Fund of the Columbus Foundation for cash prizes for the Teachers of Distinction and Golden Apple recipients.
To purchase tickets for the 21st Annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration or to make a contribution, please call The Education Foundation of Collier County at 239.643.4755 or visit www.EducationForCollier.org. All proceeds benefit The Education Foundation of Collier County.
