Erika Edgerly is Public Affairs Director for New Mexico, Massachusetts, and Texas. She is a native New Mexican and holds an BS in Industrial Engineering from New Mexico State University and an MBA from the University of New Mexico. She has worked for Intel at the Rio Rancho campus for over 20 years.
In celebration of our 40th year in the state, we announced in February that we would be awarding 40 grants to New Mexico nonprofits and teachers focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics initiatives. In the months following our announcement, we have found ourselves hurriedly transitioning to working from home and, for those in school, attending classes virtually. This shift has not been easy, and through it all, we remain amazed by our local educators’ continual commitment to and passion for teaching their students no matter the situation.
Today, we are thrilled to share with you the 40 teachers and nonprofits from around New Mexico who will receive Intel Foundation funding for their STEM programs and initiatives. We couldn’t be happier to award this support to each and every one of our grantees, including:
Each red pin represents a grant recipient who will receive funding from our 40 for 40 Grants.
To inspire Manzano High School students and teens in the surrounding area to pursue STEM, Brain Hackers Association will purchase 3D printer material, a VR headset, displays for 3D modeling, and other tools for a teen tech center at the school.- In Taos, Surya Zoba Studies will buy class materials and cover fees for Taos High School students participating in a math boot camp. This camp will expose students to STEM topics, encourage math proficiency, and show real-word applications for the material they are learning in their STEM classes.
- At Elida Elementary in eastern New Mexico, teacher Julia Woodruff helps to create interest for robotics in high school for 4th-6th grade students. With the grant money, Woodruff will provide more robots for her students, who learn how to build and code them and who regularly compete in robotics challenges with other students from around the state.
- Using the Intel grant, students at La Academia de Esperanza in Albuquerque will design and install a school-yard refuge for wildlife. This project is completely student-led and student-centered, from the budget to the implementation. It will provide students with the opportunity to create their own outdoor classroom for their Environmental Studies class, overseen by Margaret Showalter.
- Participants of the Moriarty Middle School robotics program will get the chance to participate in national competition First Tech Challenge and will be receiving new supplies, tools, and materials for the program with the Intel grant.
For a complete list of grant recipients, please visit the Rio Rancho Community Foundation website.
“New Mexico has a long history of being a leader in the technology industry and Intel an excellent community partner that supports education in our state. Intel continues to show their commitment to education with these forty grants, which will enhance the development of our students’ capabilities in STEM throughout New Mexico,” shared Jerry Schalow, Executive Director of the Rio Rancho Community Foundation.
Congratulations to the grant recipients and thank you to the educators from across the state who continue to inspire students and foster their interest in STEM education. We can’t wait to see how you impact our next generation of STEM leaders and innovators!
For more information about Intel in New Mexico, visit www.intel.com/NewMexico.