Grant Will Support STEM Students

An $80,000 grant will help support science, technology, engineering and math-related fields for university students. The grant, given to Cal State San Bernardino by Southern California Edison, will also support the university's Latino Education Advocacy Days program and the Cal State Project to Promote Coasta Sage Scrub Conservation and Environmental Education program. CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales said, "We’re grateful to Edison International for their generous support of our STEM programs and educational outreach programs. They understand the importance of having an increased number of students graduate in majors from science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and ultimately enter the workforce in STEM-related fields.” Tammy Tumbling, director of Philanthropy and Community Investment at SCE, discussed the company's relationship with local education programs. "Since 2009, Edison International has given almost $45 million to education programs that help students excel in STEM. Our philosophy of giving is that all people should have opportunities to do well," Tumbling said. A portion of the grant - $25,000 - will supplement an ongoing grant to the Cal State Project to Promote Coastal Sage Scrub Conservation and Environmental Education program, augmenting existing community education, university instruction and research for a habitat preserve program to study Coastal Sage scrub at an unmarked trail at the base of the CSUSB Murillo Family Observatory. The goal is to have youth from grades 5 through 12 visit the trail, learning basics of habitat conservation and restoration. The grant will also augment the university's Latino Education and Advocacy Days program. Now in its sixth year, LEAD holds an annual summit focusing on educational issues affecting Latinos at the national, regional and local levels. Since 2000, Edison has awarded $334,050 in grants to the Cal State San Bernardino campus. Edison has also supported the university’s Palm Desert Campus, awarding $59,920 in grants to it since 2005.