EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Chevron completed the distribution of its 2011 “Energy for Learning” grants delivered via a yellow school bus to South Bay schools. The grants represent a significant increase in funding for local Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)-related education programs through Chevron’s Energy for Learning program.
The $2 million investment is a reflection of the Chevron El Segundo Refinery’s ongoing support for education programs in the region and celebrates the facility’s 100-year anniversary in El Segundo. The grants are part of Chevron’s California Partnership, an initiative targeting investments in education and economic development throughout the company’s home state.
“Education is the cornerstone of our state’s competitiveness,” said Frank Semancik, General Manager, Chevron El Segundo Refinery. “Supporting STEM is a key Chevron value, and these funds are truly an investment in preparing the next generation workforce for increasingly technical careers.”
Among the grant recipients is Environmental Charter High School (ECHS), which will direct its grant funds toward renovating science and math classrooms to meet the National Science and Mathematics Education Program Standards. The grant will help extend math and science education beyond the classroom through the enhancement of outdoor learning spaces at ECHS.
“STEM programs and increased student achievement are a top priority,” said Alison Suffet Diaz, Founder and Executive Director of Environmental Charter Schools. “This funding fulfills a great demand for advanced science and math classrooms since each student is required to take four years of lab courses.”
Manhattan Beach Middle School will use its grant to continue to provide support for the Chevron Futures Institute for the Advancement of Young Women in Science, Mathematics, and Technology. In addition, the school will also use a portion of the funds to create Chevron Futures Institutes curriculum for male students. With a strong emphasis on creative problem solving and teamwork, the program includes studies in robotics, genetic engineering, alternative energy, bioinformatics, telematics, astrogeology, astrophysiology, astrobiology, space and ocean exploration, and environmental issues.
“The economic growth of California is dependent upon quality education for students,” said Geoff Yantz, superintendent of El Segundo Unified School District. “Allowing our schools to emphasize STEM curriculum helps us build a promising future.”
Another grant will be used by the Da Vinci Schools to outfit a campus-based Chevron Energy Center, which is designed to provide project-based curriculum emphasizing the chemistry fundamentals of fossil fuels and alternative energy sources. Chevron’s gift will be used to provide the school with state-of-the-art lab equipment where students will learn chemistry content through investigations similar to those that might be conducted in the professional chemical engineering industry, including Chevron’s own labs.
“Chevron’s investment in education in the South Bay supports our school districts' efforts to increase and broaden their educational offerings,” said Don Knabe, Los Angeles County Supervisor representing the County’s 4th District. “As an important contributor to the state’s economy, their investment in education expands the availability of innovative K-12 education programs and helps prepare young people with the knowledge and skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow.”
Schools and programs supported by the $2 million grant include:
- California Academy of Math and Science
- El Segundo Unified School District
- El Camino College
- Centinela Valley Union High School District
- Da Vinci Science Academy
- DonorsChoose.org
- Environmental Charter High School
- Hawthorne School District
- Hermosa Beach City School District
- Hawthorne Math & Science Academy
- Lennox Math, Science and Technology Academy
- Manhattan Beach Unified School District
- Roundhouse Aquarium Oceanographic Teaching Station
- Project Lead the Way
- Wiseburn School District
- Redondo Beach Unified School District
About Chevron
Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide. The company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com/ca.