Mississippi State University Receives $180K Grant for STEM Education

Mississippi State University Granted $180K for STEM Education

STARKVILLE, Miss – Mississippi State University (MSU) will see a significant boost in STEM education and computer science, thanks to a generous contribution of $180,000 given by the C Spire Foundation.

The donation earmarked specifically for bolstering STEM education will fund the development and deployment of online computer science classes. This is seen as a significant step, preparing the future workforce for the digital age.

Boost for Online Computer Science Courses

The C Spire Foundation’s generous donation forms a collaboration with the Center for Cyber Education at MSU. This partnership is geared towards availing computer science courses to high schools at no cost in the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years.

Addressing the Tech-Divide

“We recognize the importance of improving lives through technology,” said Beth Pickering, president and executive director of the C Spire Foundation. The organization remains committed to championing STEM education, digital literacy, and professional skills development for students in its region.

It believes its collaboration with organizations like the Center for Cyber Education can go a long way in creating a technologically competent future workforce.

The Courses on Offer

The Center for Cyber Education at MSU, buoyed by the generous financial donation from the C Spire Foundation, plans to make Exploring Computer Science and Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) available online. These courses will empower both teachers and students in computer science training, promoting digital literacy in the state.

This collaboration promotes STEM education, particularly computer science, as an essential element in students’ education. The move is part of a broader effort to improve digital literacy and boost the quality of education across the state.

Boost for STEM Education in Mississippi

The injection of funds into STEM education comes as welcome news to Mississippi. It highlights the importance of digital literacy and equips students with practical skills for the digital future. This contribution, particularly the funding of online computer science courses, sets a precedent on blending traditional classroom learning with modern e-learning platforms, thus improving digital literacy among both students and their educators.