South Bend, Ind. (March 20, 2019) – 1st Source Bank has awarded Knox Community Middle School a $25,000 grant. The funds will be used to implement a STEM program for the school, which will include hands-on curriculum and collaborative projects.

“At 1st Source Bank, we view an investment in STEM as an investment in the future for the students at Knox Community Middle School, as well as for our communities,” states Connie Lemler, President of 1st Source Bank’s Community Region. “These students are going to learn vital skills that will carry them far in their education and future careers. It is our pleasure to contribute to that, and we’re excited to see the success of this program.”

Knox Community Middle School has already begun utilizing new equipment, tools and programs purchased with the grant funding to introduce STEM curriculum to their students, with plans to expand the program in coming school years. The school also plans to construct a dedicated STEM space, designed to encourage collaboration and group projects focused on technology, engineering and more.

“Through this grant from 1st Source, we have been able to supplement our traditional classroom instruction with learning activities that will engage students with real-world problem solving,” says Jake Skelly, Principal of Knox Community Middle School. “Research studies have proven that this interdisciplinary and applied approach to learning prepares students with key skills that are needed for success in both their educational and career fields. A recent learning style survey on the Knox Schools campus revealed that more than two-thirds of our students are kinesthetic (physical) learners; therefore, we felt that the inclusion of STEM instructional activities will be readily welcomed by the student body at KMS.”

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