HUNTSVILLE, AL – The Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PBCI) recently awarded a $25,000 grant to support STEM educational programming at Huntsville Botanical Garden (HBG). The grant signals the start of a new partnership between PBCI and HBG with the goal of providing significant positive impact on children’s education in Alabama, and ultimately contributing to a stronger workforce and healthier quality of life for the state.
“Plant science education is at the heart of what we do,” said Annette Alexander, HBG VP of Institutional Advancement. “The Garden provides a spectrum of programs to support STEM learning through teacher professional development, student learning experiences, STEM youth volunteer programming, camps and more.”
In addition to the many STEM-based programs offered by HBG, Cultivate, the Garden’s new teacher professional development program, directly supports teachers both inside and outside the classroom to engage students in authentic STEM education throughout key locations in the state. This grant will enable HBG educators to support STEM education programs beyond schools located in Madison County.
The tribe has become a leader in the world of philanthropy. The tribe contributes to many charitable organizations in the community, helping to fund the arts, as well as activities such as youth sports, senior care and emergency support services.
“As a tribe, we believe that every child in our state, no matter where they live, should have access to a good education and develop the skills they will need in the future,” said Stephanie A. Bryan, Tribal Chair & CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. “For that reason, I am thrilled that we are able to support the Huntsville Botanical Garden’s new STEM educational program. We believe that STEM-based learning programs like Cultivate can have a positive impact on education initiatives for children across our state, including in very rural areas like our own Poarch community.”
“We are excited about the opportunities made possible through backing from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians,” said Alexander. “Their recognition of the importance of STEM education for our children’s future and their support in making those programs accessible to as many people as possible in our state will result in a truly positive impact for all.”
