State lawmakers announce $499K grant for Albright College
Rep. Manuel Guzman April 13, 2021 | 12:55 PM
READING, April 13 – Berks County state lawmakers Sen. Judy Schwank and Reps. Mark Rozzi and Manny Guzman announced a $499,711 PAsmart Advancing Grant has been approved for Albright College to expand access to computer science and STEM education for Pennsylvania students.
The grant is for a collaboration with the nonprofit organization Science Research Institute to implement an innovative STEM program for underserved student and educator populations. The program will provide summer and afterschool STEM research at Albright College labs for Reading-area 5th-12th grade students and educators, and students will have access to legal counsel through program partners for any IP they develop in the college's lab.
“I couldn’t be happier to see Albright College and SRI joining forces to provide extraordinary STEM opportunities for students who may otherwise never have had access to such quality experiences,” Schwank said. “I have long supported the initiatives of both the college and SRI and have observed firsthand students working on projects far more advanced than they’d have access to in school.”
“This grant will go a long way to help address Pennsylvania’s shortage of skilled labor, training today’s students for 21st century jobs,” Rozzi said. “Grants devoted to expanding computer science and STEM education help fill the tremendous need we have for skilled workers.”
A complete list of the recipients, projects and award amounts can be found at PA Advancing Grants 2021. During the last three years, Pennsylvania has awarded 453 PAsmart grants to expand computer science classes and teacher training at more than 700 schools across the state.
“I’m excited that Albright College has been named as one of 26 recipients of a PAsmart Advancing Grant, paving the way for Pennsylvania’s students to prepare to successfully enter the workforce and help grow our state’s economy,” Guzman said.