Education

Freeport-McMoRan Foundation awards $125,000 in STEM Innovation Grants

Jul 29, 2014 7:00 AM ET
Campaign: Freeport-McMoRan: Communities & People

July 29, 2014 /3BL Media/ - The Freeport-McMoRan Foundation recently awarded more than $125,000 in education grants through its STEM Innovation Grant program.

Grants up to $5,000 are made to K-12 teachers and schools in or near communities where Freeport-McMoRan operates, and in support of projects that develop, improve or expand innovative instructional programs in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

Some projects to receive funding this year include:

· Astronomy Across the District in Morenci, Ariz. – a program in partnership with Mt. Graham International Observatory and Desert Sky Gazers to engage students in astronomy

· If the Students Build It, They Will Learn in Leadville, Colo. – a LEGO robotics and engineering program for students to explore careers in STEM fields

· Douglas High School Land Lab Pollinator Garden in Bisbee, Ariz. – a program to strengthen student environmental awareness and science skills through the creation of a pollinator garden

· Hooking Kids on Chemistry in Ajo, Ariz. – a hands-on, inquiry-driven interdisciplinary learning project that focuses on the principles of chemistry and complex chemical reactions

Since launching the STEM Innovation Grant program in 2009, Freeport-McMoRan has awarded more than $575,000. In addition, each year the Company invests approximately $1.5 to $2 million in support of K-12 STEM education and participates in STEM initiatives at both a local and national level. The goals are to increase student interest in STEM, build a stronger STEM education system and ensure a workforce pipeline of qualified and skilled workers in STEM fields - many of which are important to careers in mining.

For more information about the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation programs, visit FreeportInMyCommunity.com

For further information about Freeport-McMoRan’s social investment commitments, please see http://www.fcx.com/sd/community/comm_invest.htm

Please see the 2013 Working Toward Sustainable Development Report for more information on all of their social, economic and environmental efforts.