Avnet Cares awarded ten community grants last month to nonprofit organizations addressing education, sustainability and community resilience.
Avnet reviews grants on a quarterly basis and focuses on the areas of STEM, environment and communities in crisis.
One recipient, the Arizona Sustainability Alliance (AZSA), received funding to expand its Food Tech for the Future program to nine Title I middle and high schools across Maricopa County. The program introduces students to food computers - digital hydroponic greenhouses controlled by Raspberry Pi processors that students manage through sensors regulating temperature, water, humidity and carbon dioxide.
Through hands-on experiments, students learn Python coding, computer science, biology, horticulture and data analysis, while gaining access to fresh produce grown in their classrooms. The initiative teaches sustainable agriculture practices that conserve water and space, while addressing food insecurity in underserved communities.
“The program provides students with real world STEM experience that connects directly to higher education and future careers,” said Katie Stringham, Global Community Manager at Avnet. “It also empowers them to better understand food systems and sustainability. This project in particular brings together two of our focus areas – melding STEM education with environmental efforts.”
Additional grants were awarded to A New Leaf, Chicago Academy of Sciences, Education Empowers, Girl Scouts AZ Cactus Pine, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, SciTech Institute, Society of Women Engineers, St. Mary’s Food Bank and Treasure 4 Teachers.
To learn more about Avnet Cares’ grant program, click here.