Alta Vista Technology Puts STEM and Literacy First
Each year, Alta Vista chooses a charitable project to fund in hopes to improve local classrooms and give children opportunities they may not have otherwise. This year we set our sights on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and literacy with two different projects, in hopes to make learning more interactive and fun!
STEM made fun with Lego!
In a world run by technology, STEM has become an essential part of early learning. Unfortunately, many schools go underfunded and do not have access to the materials needed to give their students that extra head start. That’s why when Alta Vista met Breean Jarvie, a STEM teacher at Briarwood Elementary in Warren, Michigan they knew they needed to help.
To “power up” their study, Alta Vista donated 10 Lego Technic kits to be used by 4th and 5th graders across 2 schools. Lego Technic helps kids learn about science, technology, engineering, and math through circuitry, construction, trial and error, and creativity.
“According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while other occupations are growing at 9.8%. STEM degree holders have a higher income even in non-STEM careers. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators. “
Making Technology Accessible
“The addition of ten LEGO Technic Power Function building kits were quickly enjoyed by 200 4th and 5th-grade students at Pinewood and Briarwood Elementary. The kits were used to engage students in robotics and automation learning and prepare them for the future through hands-on building opportunities. Thank you Alta Vista for providing our student with this amazing opportunity!”
– Breean Jarvie
Making Literacy A Priority
Reading is such an important part of a child’s development, yet some schools still struggle to get the supplies necessary to make reading a priority. Alta Vista’s Hollie Murray has made it easier to read and learn for Walt Whitman Elementary in Pontiac, Michigan.
Providing books to children helps them learn vocabulary and speech skills, fosters brain development, teaches empathy, and improves concentration. These are all factors that are so important to a child’s development and Alta Vista is extremely grateful to be able to help children learn and grow.
Working closely with Walt Whitman Elementary, Alta Vista provided:
- A first-gradebook fair, funding 1 book per each first-grade child
- One year of Raz Kids for the first-grade classroom
- Participation in Literacy Night for “March is Reading Month” as a guest reader
Looking to Make A Difference?
DonorsChoose.org is a United States–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom projects. The organization has been given Charity Navigator’s highest rating every year since 2005 and in January 2018, they announced that 1 million projects had been funded.
They have experienced rapid growth and needed a new ERP system. Donors Choose chose Sage Intacct as their cloud platform. With Sage Intacct they are able to handle their fundraising, supply chain procurement, customer support, file storage, and expense reporting all in one connected solution.
We offer a discount on Sage Intacct, exclusively for non-profits. Watch this online webinar, or give us a call at 855.913.3228 to receive information and a free consult to explore how Sage Intacct can work for you.
