$1.4 Million in STEM Curriculum Gifted to Nevada Schools
Donation Announced at Business + Education (BE) Engaged Summit 2016
Middle school students at Nevada public schools will have access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM 101) curriculum, thanks to a generous gift from The STEM Academy, Inc., an internationally known and respected organization advancing economic development by improving STEM literacy to meet future workforce needs.
The donation announced during today’s Business + Education (BE) Engaged Summit, came as a result of requests from leaders at Bank of Nevada and First Independent Bank, who are directly involved in statewide efforts to expand STEM curriculum and improve educational performance in Nevada. Bank of Nevada and First Independent Bank are both divisions of Western Alliance Bank.
Providing this curriculum for a three-year licensing term, and at no cost to 88 middle schools in Nevada, is a financial donation of more than $1.4 million dollars. The majority of the middle schools that will benefit from this gift, 58 facilities, are within the Clark County School District, which is the fifth largest school district in the United States.
“We believe this generous donation from The STEM Academy is a game changer for Nevada students and also illustrates what happens when business leaders get involved in education,” said John Guedry, CEO of Bank of Nevada. “By exposing these students to STEM 101 curriculum, at a crucial time in their learning experience, we hope to trigger a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and math, which can put these students ahead of others in the years to come.”
In partnership with Nevada economic development offices, The STEM Academy curriculum helps to create a pipeline of future STEM-educated workers based on the state’s strategic goals and projected workforce needs. The educational framework benefits those students choosing a pathway directly into industry, as well as those who choose post-secondary advancement. Additionally, STEM 101 curriculum has shown to improve performance among under-represented minority and low-income students, close achievement gaps, decrease dropout rates and increase high school graduation.
“The STEM Academy is providing quality instructional materials for the next generation science standards,” said Pat Skorkowsky, Superintendent of the Clark County School District. “This gift will move Nevada middle schools toward the New Nevada.”
“STEM 101 is a tremendous gift that fits nicely into Governor Sandoval’s vision to make Nevada’s students college and career ready,” said Steve Canavero, Ph.D., Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction. “STEM 101 is an extremely valuable benefit for our Nevada middle school students in the realm of STEM education whether in school, after-school or during summer programs. With the support of our community, this program will allow 88 middle schools in Nevada to engage in collaboration with real-world settings and experiences together with an enriched instructional process that connects multiple core disciplines to bring STEM to life.”
The donated curriculum will be combined with additional funding from the State of Nevada and the Clark County School District to provide the needed accompanying materials for students, some of which can be utilized in subsequent years.
Eighty-eight Nevada public middle schools will receive STEM 101 curriculum for free, for a three-year licensing term, thanks to a generous gift from The Stem Academy, Inc. The gift, which is valued at more than $1.4 million dollars, was announced during the Business + Education (BE) Engaged Summit 2016: Accelerating a New Nevada, an event to help get the business community engaged in supporting public education. The Stem Academy, Inc. is an internationally known and respected organization advancing economic development by improving STEM literacy to meet future workforce needs.
(L to R) Steve Canavero, Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction; John Guedry, Bank of Nevada CEO; Dr. Alan Gomez, founder and Chief Academic Officer, The Stem Academy, Inc.; Mike Hix, SVP/Branch Administrator First Independent Bank; Pat Skorkowsky, Clark County School District Superintendent.
About Bank of Nevada
Bank of Nevada is a division of Western Alliance Bank, the go-to bank for business in its growing markets. Founded in 1994, Bank of Nevada offers a full spectrum of deposit, lending, treasury management, international banking and online banking products and services, plus superior service to meet the needs of local businesses. With 11 offices in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Mesquite, along with Western Alliance Bank’s robust national platform of specialized financial services, the banking division is a valued partner for Southern Nevada’s business, real estate, professional, municipal and nonprofit communities. Western Alliance Bank is the primary subsidiary of Phoenix-based Western Alliance Bancorporation. With $14 billion in assets, Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) is one of the fastest-growing bank holding companies in the U.S. and recognized as #10 on the Forbes 2016 “Best Banks in America” list. For more information, visit www.bankofnevada.com.
About First Independent Bank
First Independent Bank is a division of Western Alliance Bank, the go-to bank for business in its growing markets. Founded in 1999, First Independent Bank offers a full spectrum of deposit, lending, treasury management, international banking and online banking products and services, plus superior service to meet the needs of local businesses. With seven offices in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and Fallon, along with Western Alliance Bank’s robust national platform of specialized financial services, the banking division is a valued partner for Northern Nevada’s business, real estate, professional, municipal and nonprofit communities. Western Alliance Bank is the primary subsidiary of Phoenix-based Western Alliance Bancorporation. With $14 billion in assets, Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) is one of the fastest-growing bank holding companies in the U.S. and recognized as #10 on the Forbes 2016 “Best Banks in America” list. For more information, visit www.firstindependentnv.com.
About Western Alliance Bank
With $14 billion in assets, top-performing Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) is one of the fastest-growing bank holding companies in the U.S. and recognized as #10 on the Forbes 2016 “Best Banks in America” list. Its primary subsidiary, Western Alliance Bank, is the go-to bank for business and succeeds with local teams of experienced bankers who deliver superior service and a full spectrum of deposit, lending, treasury management, international banking and online banking products and services. Western Alliance Bank operates full-service banking divisions: Alliance Bank of Arizona, Bank of Nevada, Bridge Bank, First Independent Bank and Torrey Pines Bank. The bank also serves business customers through a robust national platform of specialized financial services including Corporate Finance, Equity Fund Resources, Life Sciences Group, Mortgage Warehouse Lending, Public and Nonprofit Finance, Renewable Resource Group, Resort Finance, Technology Finance and Alliance Association Bank. For more information, visit westernalliancebancorporation.com.