PIE Receives $5,500 in Grant Support from Best Buy Foundation
PIE Receives $5,500 in Grant Support from Best Buy Foundation
CINCINNATI – (Oct. 5, 2017) Cincinnati-based Partnership for Innovation in Education (PIE) recently received $5,500 in grant support from the Best Buy Foundation, part of the Best Buy corporation which supports organizations that demonstrate a track record for building skill proficiency in technology through out-of-school time programs.
The Best Buy Foundation awarded the grant to PIE on Monday, October 2, 2017 during a special presentation in Cincinnati. The grant helps support the PIE Drone Club Aerospace Program in Cincinnati Public Schools, allowing students to design and fabricate drones using computer-aided design, aviation analytics and additive 3D engineering. Upon successful completion of the program, students are granted the Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 Commercial Drone Ground Pilot License. The innovative program connects school day “hands on” lessons with after school simulations and certificate training.
“We are honored to have received this generous grant support from the Best Buy Foundation for our programs which engage students in a deeper understanding of technology, robotics, analytics and design, and how it can be applied to 21st century careers. Our programs provide students ‘hands on’ learning experiences with career coaches, classroom educators and mentors. These programs, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Community Connectors Program, allow students to receive job certification, as well as pursue emerging career pathways with Ohio’s leading business partners,” said Mary Welsh Schlueter, CEO of PIE.
“PIE’s programs do a wonderful job of bringing technology to underserved students and helping them become more interested and fluent in digital learning. These programs help students develop skills, gain confidence and become more prepared for future education and career success by opening doors to opportunities they may never have known existed. Best Buy is proud to partner with the organizations working with local teens and students to develop the future of their community,” said Brian Stevens, Best Buy Market Administrator in Cincinnati.
PIE’s Community Connectors grant helps support the Drone Club Aerospace program in Cincinnati Public Schools. It was the fourth consecutive Community Connectors grant the non-profit has received from the ODE. Established in 2014 by the governor and Ohio legislature, the ODE Community Connectors program brings together students, their parents, schools, communities, faith or values based organizations and businesses in mentoring programs. The grant program seeks to strengthen communities, encourage mentoring opportunities and create new pathways for civic engagement that will result in high educational achievement, higher levels of well-being and health, and workforce readiness for Ohio.
Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted recently met with PIE to discuss how its transformational and results-driven educational tools prepare Ohio students for the 21st century workforce. Educators and PIE Business partners shared ideas for new ways to help local students realize their dreams and find future employment in Ohio’s emerging career pathways. PIE was also recognized in May 2017 by the Ohio Secretary of State for Non-Profit Month as part of the Ohio Business Profile program. Ohio Business Profile was launched in 2011 making people aware of Ohio companies that are creating interesting products, offering outstanding service, contributing to their local communities and employing Ohioans in the process.
About PIE
Partnership for Innovation In Education (PIE) develops transformational educational tools preparing the 21st century workforce for success in the global marketplace. With its CaseLab program, PIE features first-ever career simulation and mentoring alliances with business, education and arts organizations, providing hands-on learning in the K-16 classroom. PIE is a 501c3 nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, awarded the GuideStar Nonprofit “Platinum” Ranking and is an Ohio School District Partner. For more information, visit https://piemedia.org or follow @PIE_Innovation on Twitter.
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