Photo by James Short.
The Wissahickon Educational Opportunities Foundation has donated a total of $101,619 to Wissahickon School District that will benefit the Wissahickon High School turf fields and its Fab Lab, and provide 20 LEGO STEM education kits to five elementary schools.
WEOF high school student representatives Gabe Lassiter and Hannah Yum presented the big check to the Wissahickon School Board at the beginning of its March 18 meeting. Watch the presentation here.
Of the $101,619, $8,403 of it is a monetary donation and an equipment donation valued at $93,215, according to school board meeting documents.
The high school turf fields will be getting four team dugouts, helmet racks and benches, valued at $75,220, according to school board documents. The high school Fab Lab will get a $2,004 monetary donation, plus equipment valued at $17,996.
Finally, a monetary donation of $6,399 will go toward 20 LEGO STEM education kits, to be distributed as five kits per school.
“I can’t promise that I’m going to dance or sing this info, but I’ll do my best,” Lassiter said at the start of the presentation. “On behalf of WOEF, I am pleased to present these learning grants and donations to the Wissahickon School District. We’re proud of our partnership with the district and our growing presence in our school community.”
Lassiter said each turf field has a new “Home” and new “Away” dugout with a helmet rack and bench.
“A special shoutout to the district facilities team for installing new equipment for this project,” Lassiter said.
Yum said WEOF was proud to support Fab Lab another year and its partnership with Lockheed Martin.
“We have purchased a FabBot machine and related accessories. A FabBot is a CNC router designed for computer CAD projects,” she said. “This new equipment provides students with opportunities to bring computer designs into real life form.”
She said the machine can cut various materials, including aluminum, wood and soft plastics.
“Lastly, we are proud to support elementary school libraries with the purchase of five Boost STEM education kits. Students use these kits when they visit the library, and students engage in engineering, data analysis and communication in developing their skills in critical thinking and collaboration.”
“Thank you to WEOF for all they do for supplementing what we can’t do,” said board Director Deanne
WEOF will host a 21+ BYOB and food Trivia Night on Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Gwynedd Fire Department’s social hall. Tickets are $500 per team, at eight people per team. Maximum capacity is 15 teams. Ticket sales begin Saturday.
