FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of Auburn Hills’ Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and the Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills are partnering to deliver a hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program to 4,500 students across southeastern Michigan.
The program is the result of Cranbrook receiving a 2019 educational grant from the FCA Foundation.
“The FCA Foundation recognizes its responsibility to help build strong and sustainable communities,” says Christine Estereicher, who leads the FCA Foundation, and serves as the director of civic engagement and state affairs at FCA. “We believe that this goal can only be realized by investing in Detroit’s young people; providing them with educational opportunities as well as life skills that will help them grow and thrive for years to come.”
One of the school benefitting from the FCA-Cranbrook STEM program is the Detroit Enterprise Academy, where K-8 students had their first instructional day with its materials on Nov. 13.
“We appreciate this partnership because it allows our students to receive additional STEM lessons,” says Emily Gagnon, principal at Detroit Enterprise Academy. “When our students graduate from high school and college, we don’t know what type of jobs will be available to them.”
The additional instruction further contributes to the academic success of students like those at Detroit Enterprise.
“By participating in these lessons now, students are able to gain problem solving skills, build collaboration skills, and be creative, which will help prepare them for the future,” says Gagnon. “Being part of the grant from the FCA Foundation, our students have the unique opportunity to work side-by-side with real scientists.”
