The Valspar Foundation has donated $20,000 to the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and career development programs for students.
Over the past three years, Valspar has provided a total of $70,000 to the Carnegie Science Center to help introduce students to STEM education and encourage them to pursue careers in related fields.
“Valspar is proud to continue its support of Carnegie Science Center and its mission of educating and exciting young people to become future scientists,” said Gary E. Hendrickson, Valspar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
In 2015, Valspar’s donation is helping fund five of Carnegie’s high-priority programs and events, which will serve more than 10,000 students:
Engineer the Future: An opportunity for students and the general public to explore activity booths sponsored by various universities, technology companies and professional organizations that demonstrate all fields of engineering.
SciTech Days: An event that helps middle and high school students and teachers connect with real-world scientists and engineers from over 40 companies and universities through a wide range of hands-on experiences.
Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair: An event where more than 1,100 6th – 12th graders compete for over $1 million in cash and scholarships.
ChemFest: An opportunity for students and the general public to explore basic and applied chemistry.
Tour Your Future program for girls: A career exploration program that gives girls ages 11-17 an opportunity to meet female professionals who work in diverse STEM careers, from zoologists to accountants, software engineers to surgeons.
“Valspar’s generous support helps Carnegie Science Center to engage more than 10,000 middle and high school students each year in STEM programs and competitions,” said Linda Ortenzo, director of STEM Programs at Carnegie Science Center. “These experiences inspire students to explore STEM careers by doing exciting, hands-on activities and interacting with STEM professionals. For example, in 2014, Valspar became the presenting sponsor of Tour Your Future, a program designed to increase girls’ interest in STEM. With Valspar’s support, the program grew by 65%, and it’s now serving more than 300 girls.”
In addition to the financial contribution, Valspar scientists volunteer at the events to share their knowledge and experiences with students.
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