Andersen Corporation Awards $50,000 Grant to Park High School for STEM Inventor Space

Andersen Corporation announced this month a $50,000 grant to Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minn. The grant, provided by the Andersen Corporate Foundation, will support development of Park High School’s STEM Inventor Space, a classroom created to accommodate a technology and maker-centered teaching and learning style designed to engage and inspire students in science, technology and engineering and math (STEM). 

“Andersen is proud to support STEM education through Park High School’s Inventors Space,” said Paul Delahunt, President of Renewal by Andersen which is headquartered just a few miles away. “STEM programs such as these increase science literacy, develop critical thinkers and build the skills needed for careers in high-demand fields, propelling the next generation of innovators.”

Park High School’s Inventor Space provides students the opportunity to utilize creativity, design thinking and engineering to produce tangible products for relevant, real-world needs. Andersen Corporate Foundation grant funds will equip the innovative learning space with technology, tools, equipment and materials used in today’s digital and manufacturing-based world to help students invent, create and prototype.

“We are grateful for the support of our local businesses, like Andersen Corporation, that allow us to provide beautiful workspaces for our students to collaborate and learn about science, technology, engineering and math,” said Park High School Principal Ginger Garski.

The Andersen Corporate Foundation grant will be donated in two $25,000 installments. The first installment was donated during the 2017-2018 school year and the second will be donated in advance of the 2018-2019 school year. Preparation for the Inventor’s Space began in January 2018 and students will begin using the space in September 2018.