Astellas USA Foundation Grants $25K to Crossroads Community Outreach Foundation’s P.S. Science Program

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 26, 2015 /3BL Media/ —The Crossroads Community Outreach Foundation (CCOF) recently received $25,000 for its P.S. Science program, thanks to a grant from Astellas USA Foundation. CCOF is an Institutional Community Service initiative of Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, a progressive, independent K-12 school in Santa Monica. Astellas USA Foundation strives to inspire students to develop an interest and proficiency in STEM subjects by supporting organizations like P.S. Science that reach directly into the classroom.

P.S. Science has worked with classroom teachers to bring memorable, engaging science lessons to underserved students attending local Title I schools since 2006. The program was created to address the need for early elementary school science education in public schools, where exposure to this discipline is nonexistent or severely limited in early grades. Each week first-, second- and third-graders experience the wonder and surprise that accompanies interactive science instruction.

The program currently serves 725 students at Saint Anne School and McKinley Elementary School in Santa Monica and William Green Elementary School in Lawndale. P.S. Science also offers a popular afterschool science club for students who have completed the program.

According to CCOF President Roger Weaver, Astellas USA Foundation’s contribution is helping P.S. Science do four important things in Title I school classrooms: Teach science in a way that keeps students engaged and excited, build teacher capacity, engage students and parents and integrate Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards requirements.

“The reason we undertook this grant in the first place is the dire circumstances of science education in Title I schools,” said Weaver, also a former headmaster of Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences. “We’ve seen this in every school we’ve been in: Because the kids are having their first exciting experience with hands-on learning, this program also increases parent engagement.”

“Astellas USA Foundation is deeply committed to STEM education for our young people and focuses on opportunities that will foster the next generation of leaders and innovators,” said Jeff Winton, president of Astellas USA Foundation. “The CCOF is also dedicated to helping students meet this goal and that’s why we’re proud to support the P.S. Science initiative.”

For more information about the Crossroads Community Outreach Foundation and P.S. Science program, click here.

About Crossroads School
Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences is a K-12, coed college preparatory school in Santa Monica, California. Crossroads was founded upon five basic commitments: to academic excellence; to the arts; to the greater community; to the development of a student population of social, economic and racial diversity; and to the development of each student's physical well-being and full human potential. One in four students receives financial assistance. The School is highly acclaimed for its programs and is a leader in public/private educational partnerships.

About Astellas USA Foundation
stellas USA Foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation that awards grants to support charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes. To learn more about Astellas USA Foundation, please visit http://www.astellasusafoundation.org.

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