APS Education Foundation Awards $532K for Student STEM, Arts and Wellness Programs

Innovative initiatives will expand access and support social-emotional learning for thousands of students.

New initiatives to expand STEM access for students with disabilities, establish school-based makerspaces, and create calming corners for emotional regulation are among the 87 projects funded by the APS Education Foundation in its latest grant cycle.

In all, the Foundation awarded more than $532,000 in grants, with checks presented at an event on Nov. 13.

This year’s funded projects reflect a wide range of focus areas, including STEM, student clubs and activities, post-secondary readiness, fine arts, literacy and social and emotional learning. Schools and departments receiving the grants demonstrated innovative, school-based initiatives that support student learning, family engagement, improved attendance and social and emotional well-being.

“Each year, more than 60,000 students benefit from programs funded by the APS Education Foundation,” said Executive Director Shannon Barnhill. “These programs, supported by community partnerships, provide innovative and enriched learning opportunities designed to help students reach their full potential.”

The investments are made possible through the generosity of donors, grantors and event sponsors. APS educators and departments submitted 108 applications seeking nearly $645,000 in funding during the most recent grant cycle.

This year’s grant recipients include:

• $19,500 for Highland Complex to launch a groundbreaking inclusion initiative, providing students with disabilities, from kindergarten through age 22, access to important STEM and arts opportunities that are often inaccessible. The program will utilize hands-on projects, adaptive technology and field trips to build creativity, problem-solving skills, and confidence, ensuring these students are fully included in extracurricular learning.
• $10,000 for Freedom High School's “Break/Make” initiative, a hands-on creative lab where students break barriers and make futures. This dedicated makerspace is equipped with tools like 3D printers, robotics kits, woodworking gear, and media equipment, allowing young people to design, build, and solve real-world problems. More than a classroom, this hub sparks confidence, teamwork and innovation, helping students see themselves as creators with in-demand, real-world skills.
• And $9,915 for Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary for its Zones of Regulation and Calming Corners work. The project integrates teacher training and high-quality, evidence-based classroom lessons to provide students with explicit instruction in emotional regulation. Learning will be reinforced by dedicated calming spaces and tools. By aligning curriculum across grade levels, our project systematically builds a shared social-emotional language and foundational skills, which will be reinforced from year to year. The project extends learning beyond the classroom by providing resources for families.

“The Foundation is grateful to all the partners and donors whose generosity continues to drive these vital investments,” Barnhill said. “Their support ensures that APS students are provided with the necessary resources and opportunities to achieve success both in and out of the classroom.”