TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple Independent School District’s long-range plan to reengineer its STEM programs received valuable support with a generous donation from Meta this week.
Meta representatives presented TISD with a check for $75,000 to help support the district’s STEM programs during the Temple Chamber of Commerce’s Salute to Business 2023 banquet Tuesday night (February 7). The donation will impact students in STEM programs at every grade level throughout Temple ISD.
“Temple ISD has a longstanding reputation of building excellent partnerships and designing innovative learning opportunities for students. Our partnership with Meta will stretch these learning experiences into our youngest Wildcats,” Dr. Bobby Ott, superintendent of Temple schools said. “The winners in this equation are the students that will participate in these science, technology, engineering and math opportunities, allowing them to explore their interests and open their gifts. Meta has wasted no time engaging the community and supporting the education of Temple youth. I am truly grateful for their generosity.”
Temple ISD's STEM initiatives aim to reengineer learning opportunities for students by focusing on applying academic content to real-world problems with innovative design-based thinking. The reinforcement of STEM learning across campuses provides an opportunity to increase emphasis on STEM and inspire the design and implementation of high-quality and future-ready learning experiences fundamental to our goals as a district. The district’s master plan for reengineering its STEM programs includes a five-year schedule of initiatives incorporating all TISD campuses.
“TISD’s district STEM initiatives provide students opportunities to think critically and utilize the design thinking process to collaboratively solve problems with their classmates,” said Dr. Lisa Adams, deputy superintendent of academics and school leadership for Temple ISD. “Beginning with our earliest learners in prekindergarten, students are challenged to be innovative and creative and these skills prepare them for STEM pathways at Temple High School and post-secondary success. We are so excited to partner with Meta to enhance these programs with state-of-the-art equipment and engineering challenges for our students.”
Technology students at Bonham Middle School have been participating in the Engineer for the Week program this school year as another example of the partnership between Meta and the school district.
“STEM education not only offers students technical abilities and career opportunities, but it also develops critical thinking skills, builds resilience, encourages collaboration and inspires creativity,” said Holli Davies, community development manager for Meta. “At Meta, we are committed to being a good neighbor and investing in the long-term vitality of our communities. Temple is now our home and we are proud to partner on this important initiative.”
Meta announced it will build a data center in Temple in March of 2022.