FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
HONDA AWARDS $50,000 GRANT TO CHIS&E

Grant supports early STEM learning program

CHICAGO (March 7, 2012) — The Chicago Pre-College Science & Engineering Program (ChiS&E) was awarded a $50,000 grant from American Honda Foundation to support their STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program for K3rd grade students. Now in its 3rd year, ChiS&E is an innovative program designed to develop student and parent knowledge in science and engineering and provide parents and teachers with the tools and experience to prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers. “Through grant giving, the American Honda Foundation seeks to develop youth in the areas of math, science, engineering, technology and literacy,” said Alexandra Warnier, manager at American Honda Foundation. “We are proud to partner with ChiS&E on its important contribution in this area and look forward to the impact and results that will be achieved.” ChiS&E serves Chicago Public School students in low-income African-American and Latino communities with highly engaging, age-appropriate hands-on science and engineering activities for students and their parents. It was founded by Kenneth Hill, executive director, who modeled the program on DAPCEP, the successful Detroit Area program he also founded more than 40 years ago. In their evaluation of the program Honda praised ChiS&E’s work in engaging children in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at such an early age and for the long-term. “We are pleased that Honda understands and supports our vision,” said Hill. “We know from years of experience that the earlier you start the greater the impact. Early learning contributes to improved student achievement, higher graduation rates, higher college completion rates and higher employment rates.”

Honda was also impressed with the parent component of ChiS&E, noting that they have previously funded programs that involved parents, but very few that give parents an opportunity to work side-by-side with their children. Echoing ChiS&E’s position, they added that by helping to build the parents knowledge base and comfort level in STEM, they will be better equipped to support their children and give them the encouragement to pursue STEM education in college and beyond. Established in 1984, the American Honda Foundation (AHF) makes grants to non-profit organizations that benefit the people of the United States in the areas of youth and scientific education, with a specific focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in addition to the environment. AHF engages in grantmaking that reflects the basic tenets, beliefs and philosophies of Honda companies, which are characterized by the following qualities: imaginative, creative, youthful, forward-thinking, scientific, humanistic and innovative. Since its inception, more than $29 million have been awarded to organizations serving approximately 115 million people in every state in the U.S. For more information please visit http://www.foundation.honda.com. For more information on The Chicago Pre-College Science & Engineering Program (ChiS&E), visit www.chiprep.org or the bi-lingual website at www.mylittleengineers.com

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