Chevron is giving $450,000 to support Fresno State’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) students at Fresno State.
Due to the high demands of technological changes in the manufacturing industry, a university news release announcing the gift said, advanced technology experience in oil, gas, food and agricultural production are required to help students become qualified job candidates for their future careers.
The university said the funds will help develop a Process and Control Automation Academy at Fresno State.
The academy is expected to be led by a team of industry-experienced engineering faculty from the Lyles College and industrial technology faculty from the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.
The grant is a two-part donation. It will also help the College of Science and Mathematics’ Physics Outreach program, a service-learning course for students who plan to teach grades kindergarten to 12.
“In return, K-12 students are exposed to STEM through creative hands-on demonstrations. Fresno State students also pass-on their knowledge of the current teaching trends in STEM education to the K-12 teachers while in the classroom, so they can then educate the next generation of students,” said the news release.
The program will provide:
- Science demonstrations to help keep students, teachers and the community engaged — generating excitement for science and inspiring community members to get involved with the College of Science and Mathematics.
- A new demonstration trailer or “mobile unit” for underserved schools to experience and teach science with demonstration kits developed to teach scientific concepts by means of “hands-on” demonstrations in a fun, interactive way. The demonstration kits are in alignment with Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core, and Math as advised by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction within the Fresno State Kremen School of Education.
- Better community visibility by featuring Physics Outreach program graphics on the van and trailer.
“Fresno State is committed to its role as a collaborative leader in STEM education,” said University President Dr. Joseph Castro. “This gift will allow us to introduce science to more young minds and to teachers in our community who might not have the resources to develop and implement on their own.”