Colocation America Announces 2018 STEM Innovation Grant Recipients

Colocation America, an industry leader in data center services, announced today that it has awarded funding to six STEM programs across the United States through its STEM Innovation Grant. Designed to encourage and inspire youth to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Colocation America’s STEM Innovation Grant awards funding to programs that provide unique hands-on learning opportunities to youth in their communities. The Grant Reading Committee, a group of individuals with a vast knowledge of nonprofits, for-profits, and STEM education, chose the recipients based on a number of criteria including program goals, objectives, and aspects of STEM innovation. The 2018 Colocation America STEM Innovation Grant Recipients: Random Hacks of Kindness Junior Since the initial hackathon 3 years ago, Random Hacks of Kindness Junior (RHoK Jr.) has hosted programs for approximately 300 nonprofits throughout Connecticut and New Jersey. In addition,  RHoK Jr. has trained 300+ high school students as computer science mentors helping inspire over 1000 4th to 8th grader to code for social good. Colocation America is providing funding for one hackathon where 4th to 8th-grade students will collaborate with computer science mentors and nonprofit representatives to develop prototype smartphone apps for local charities.

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The Lawrence Hall of Science The Lawrence Hall of Science (the Hall) is the public science center of the University of California, Berkeley. The Hall develops and creates original and interactive exhibitions, museum programs, and activities to increase public understanding of STEM. On average 210,000 children, schools, and families experience programs created by The Hall each year. Colocation America will be funding a new Ingenuity Challenge, Helping Hand (A Prosthetic Hand Challenge), where visitors will have the opportunity to design, build, and test a working prosthetic hand using a variety of different materials. The program will be open to the public in May & June of 2019.

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Project Scientist Project Scientist is an education nonprofit devoted to addressing the challenges and disadvantages women and girls face in STEM fields. Their mission is to educate, coach, and advocate for girls and women with an aptitude, talent, and passion for STEM. Each year, Project Scientist serves 1,400 girls ages 4-12 all over the United States. Colocation America will be funding to help develop and execute three expeditions for the new STEM Academy location at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. The STEM Academy is an intensive six-week summer academy with STEM expeditions during the school year.

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National Inventors Hall of Fame The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) mission is to be a catalyst for change through recognizing inventors and invention, promoting creativity, and advancing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Since 1990, NIHF's education programs have served over 1.4 million children and 140,000 teachers and leadership interns. Colocation America will be providing funding to help bring CAMP INVENTION, a weeklong summer enrichment program for youth, grades K-6, focusing on developing creative, inventive thinking and problem-solving skills thru hands-on STEM content, to San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) students.

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Overbrook School Founded in 1936, Overbrook School is an independent, Catholic, coeducational school owned and operated by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation. Since 2016, Overbrook School has purposefully integrated hands-on STEM lessons into their classrooms. This school year, the original teacher that launched the STEM initiative will be taking on a new role as the full-time STEM coach. Colocation America will be funding the purchase of a builder kit to enhance the STEM curriculum that serves 305 students in preschool - 8th grade.

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The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University has been a central cultural and scientific institution in Philadelphia for over 200 years. The mission at the Academy is to advance research, education, and public engagement in biodiversity and environmental science. Colocation America's funding is going towards the professional development workshops and mentoring aspects of the Pre-K STEM education program, Science and Literacy for Success, which is the first program in Philadelphia to use a STEM-based curriculum in early childhood centers.

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Thank you to all those who submitted, congratulations to the recipients, and we look forward to continuing our support of your amazing STEM education programs.