{Topeka, Kansas} (5/23/2017)—National PTA and the Bayer USA Foundation have awarded Kansas PTA with a $4,000 grant to engage families in STEM education. Kansas PTA is one of only six PTAs nationwide selected to receive a grant through the STEM Plus Families initiative. The grant recognizes Kansas PTA’s leadership and commitment to increasing access to STEM experiences for Kansas children and families.

“Research shows the critical role families play in children’s success and achievement—regardless of their socioeconomic background. Research also demonstrates that parents and guardians are the most influential in guiding a child’s educational and career decisions,” said Laura Bay, president of National PTA. “Family engagement is essential to strengthen STEM education, bridge the STEM gap and help all children realize their fullest potential. We’re thrilled to empower Kansas PTA with resources to engage families in STEM education.”

STEM Plus Families is a national effort to engage entire families in STEM experiences at school, at home, in the community and with digital learning environments to support their students’ success in STEM. The goal of the initiative is to fill a critical gap in STEM education, increase access to STEM experiences for all students and inspire the next generation of STEM professionals. National PTA launched STEM Plus Families with the founding support of the Bayer USA Foundation. Through the effort, 100,000 STEM experiences will be delivered to families nationwide by 2018.

With the grant from National PTA and Bayer, Kansas PTA will:

  • Examine how families are currently engaged in STEM education and develop a plan to educate and engage families in STEM in schools and community settings
  • Educate families about STEM literacy, STEM careers and STEM education pathways and empower them to support children’s success in STEM
  • Engage families using hands-on learning opportunities and science experiences in collaboration with Bayer’s Making Science Make Sense initiative and employee volunteers
  • Connect families and students to STEM enrichment and professional mentors

Denise Sultz, Kansas PTA President, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Bayer to enhance Family Engagement through STEM learning for Kansas Students. We will start our partnership by working with Bayer and a school in Kansas City, Kansas to empower the students in that school to not only foster their own learning and show their school families their new skillset, but also to allow them to pay it forward to other students and their families in their community.”

For more information about the STEM Plus Families initiative, visit PTA.org/STEM.

About PTA
PTA® comprises of families, students, teachers, administrators and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth.

About Bayer
Bayer: Science For A Better Life

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2016, the Group employed around 115,200 people and had sales of EUR 46.8 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.7 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

Contact:

Kansas PTA, 715 SW 10th Street, 785-234-5782