Armenian school in Mass. receives $10,000 grant

PanARMENIAN.Net - The St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School (SSAES) in Watertown, Massachusetts, will be taking part in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Initiative after receiving a $10,000 planning grant from the Gelfand Family Charitable Trust.

The school received the STEM fund for the 2011-12 academic year, to create a four-year strategic plan geared toward infusing STEM into the curricula and school culture.

“Our mission will be to increase the focus and emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math throughout our school, in order to create and support a deep and sustainable culture of inquiry-based teaching and learning that excites and inspires our students,” said SSAES Principal Houry Boyamian.

At the end of the planning year, grantee schools that submit a strategic plan that is approved will then be eligible to receive up to $10,000 annually for four years, subject to annual review and evaluation of plan implementation.

“We have already formed the STEM Team that will convene at least four times during the planning phase,” added Boyamian.

The team is made up of three elementary teachers, the technology teacher, the preschool director, a parent with a strong science background, a college instructor, and the principal, The Armenian Weekly reported.