Gathering
TSTEAM... he Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Inc (ELC)
has been awarded a $4000 grant through the Gary and
Shannon Cox Family Fund of the Manatee Community
Foundation to support the STEAM Machine Program.
The STEAM Machine travels around Manatee County and visited
58 classrooms serving 826 four-year-old’s in the 2017/18 school
year. The program anticipates visiting 60 classrooms in the
forthcoming 2018/19 school year.
STEAM curriculum focuses on science, technology, engineering,
the arts, and math. Our exploratory curriculum engages early
learners in real projects within authentic environments and lays
the academic groundwork for math and science.
Promoting STEAM education gives children the opportunity to
attain essential skills to connect ideas and integrate knowledge
across disciplines, all the while capturing their attention.
Sharon Oakes, ELC Chief Operations Officer, said: “We would like
to thank the Gary and Shannon Cox Family Fund of the Manatee
Community Foundation for their generous support of the STEAM
Machine program. STEAM is an innovative, exciting way to
educate our young children and this funding will help us expand
into more classrooms in our local communities.”
The Manatee County Community Foundation is a creative costeffective
and tax-efficient way for people to invest in the charitable
causes they care about most. The Manatee Community Foundation
has grown to over 260 donor funds and $46 million in assets. Over
$23 million in grants and scholarships have been "given back" to
the community since 1998. The Manatee Community Foundation
awards annual competitive grants to local non-profits that address
needs and opportunities impacting the citizens of Manatee, in the
areas of arts & humanities, community development, education,
environment, health and human services.
The ELC has been honored as the 2018 Partner of the Year
by Healthy Start Coalition of Manatee County, Inc.
ELC has worked with Healthy Start Manatee on local initiatives
such as the Community Baby Shower, and partnered with them
by accepting referrals and enrollments into the Early Steps to
School Success program.
“The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County has been an
excellent community partner in furthering the Coordinated Intake
& Referral system in our area,” said Fred Leonard, Executive
Director for the Healthy Start Coalition of Manatee County, “We
sincerely appreciate their efforts, and look forward to seeing the
continued impact of the Early Steps to School Success home
visiting program on local families.”