Archive: Around Town

The Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) has added a new affiliate, the Ithaca STEM Advocates, promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math opportunities for K-12 students in the Ithaca City School District (ICSD).

As a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, IPEI has served for over a decade as the fiscal “umbrella” for the Fine Arts Booster Group and Ithaca High School Code Red Robotics Team. IPEI has affiliated with these two groups because they are similarly dedicated to an educational mission that is compatible with IPEI’s charitable purpose of fostering understanding of and support for the schools.

According to IPEI President Terry Byrnes, “IPEI strives to enhance the education of every ICSD student and we are delighted to welcome the Ithaca STEM Advocates. IPEI will support and collaborate with this new organization to increase student access to and participation in STEM activities.”

Illa Burbank, president of the newly formed Ithaca STEM Advocates, spoke to the IPEI Board about its goals. “We will advocate for STEM activities in the ICSD; help raise funds, seek grants, and coordinate sponsorships for STEM activities; and foster communication and collaboration among STEM groups and with the community. We are very excited to work with IPEI and thankful to all who have worked to get us to this point.”

Teachers, student clubs and ICSD-sponsored organizations in STEM fields can apply to become an associate organization of Ithaca STEM. This will connect them with a network of support and will allow associated groups to collect tax-deductible donations for their activities. Gifts can be made to IPEI and either directed to a specific STEM associate, or donated to Ithaca STEM to help fund its overall mission and operations.

Superintendent of Schools for the ICSD Dr. Luvelle Brown stated, “Achievement in STEM will happen with the support of partner organizations and through innovative and efficient use of resources. A STEM advocacy group will help meet the unique needs of our district and community.”

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