Cherokee, NC — Eight local school systems and four schools were awarded the “Future Ready Through STEM-E” grant from Cherokee Preservation Foundation. This CPF funding will increase accessibility to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) by providing elementary through high school students with mobile science unit field trips, exploration in entrepreneurship, STEAM study within their classrooms, and teacher STEAM professional development. In all, this grant will provide the teachers and students in the far Western North Carolina area tools for increasing STEAM literacy for a stronger future workforce.

Students and Teachers from Cherokee Central, Cherokee County, Clay County, Graham County, Haywood County, Jackson County, Macon County, Swain County, New Kituwah Academy, Mountain Discovery Charter, Shining Rock Classical Academy, and Catamount School will be included within the grant. This grant partnership includes the schools, WRESA (Western Region Education Service Alliance) and Open Way Learning (OWL).