ST LOUIS, MO – 11/16/2022 – Unleashing Potential announced today it received a grant for $15,000 from Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S., which will be used to provide access, improve proficiency and promote diversity in STEM. Through Unleashing Potential’s STEM programming, more than 600 youth from economically disadvantaged communities in the St. Louis metropolitan area will explore key STEM concepts in our before- and after-school and summer enrichment programs.
“Inequities in STEM education start early,” said Darlene Sowell, President and CEO of Unleashing Potential. “This is particularly true in the communities of color where Unleashing Potential’s programs operate. This Bayer Fund grant will help us make an impact, by starting early with STEM evidence-based curricula that focuses on the youth’s strengths, including their curiosity about the world to pose questions, predict outcomes and test ideas, and hopefully initiating an interest in future STEM careers.”
Thanks to Bayer Fund’s support in 2021 of $15,000, 614 children were able to conduct their own experiments in Quirkles Science curriculum, assemble robots in LEGO ROBOTC curriculum and create their own video games through Bloxels Coding curriculum.
“My child has developed better work habits,” one parent reported. “Their interest in learning has increased, and their confidence in STEM and reading has increased.”
The 2022 grant from Bayer Fund will not only provide support to Unleashing Potential but also the community we serve by allowing us to provide STEM curricula for both elementary and middle school students. By instilling the belief that STEM is for everyone, and emphasizing the “4 C’s” of Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creative Play, Unleashing Potential endeavors to increase student and family awareness and knowledge of STEM education and STEM career opportunities.
“Throughout the years, the grants given through Bayer Fund have helped strengthen our communities across the United States,” said Al Mitchell, President of Bayer Fund. “We’re proud to be able to provide support to develop programs like Unleashing Potential, which has been critical in inspiring future generations for careers in the high-demand STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field.”
In 2021, Bayer Fund awarded more than $13.1 million to over 3,400 charitable and nonprofit organizations to help address essential needs in Food and Nutrition, STEM Education, and Health & Wellness. Over the last five years, nonprofit organizations across the U.S. have received more than $75 million.
To learn more about Unleashing Potential, visit www.upstl.org.
To learn more about Bayer Fund, visit www.fund.bayer.us.
About Unleashing Potential
Unleashing Potential is one of St. Louis’ oldest nonprofits enriching the lives of children (founded originally as Neighborhood Houses in 1913). The mission of Unleashing Potential is to close the opportunity gap for children and youth by building on their strengths. A United Way agency since 1955, Unleashing Potential creates educational and empowering experiences through early childhood education, after school programs, youth development and enrichment camps.
About Bayer Fund
Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where Bayer customers and employees live and work by providing funding for food and nutrition, education and community development projects.
