A press release detailed the Permian Strategic Partnership and Centennial Resource Development will team up with The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to gift 134 elementary schools in the Permian Basin with a fully equipped science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) Center, reaching more than 60,000 students and 2,000 teachers in 22 counties.
PSP and Centennial Resource Development contribute $7.5 million and $50 thousand, respectively.
Over a five-year period, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation staff will train teachers to deliver a weekly, year-round STEM program with custom-designed STEM lessons and educational STEM products as well as technology, the press release stated. The Ripken Foundation provides additional training, a lesson guidebook, educational products and technology to enhance the tools provided in each STEM center.
“This investment in STEM Centers allows PSP to have a positive impact on education across the entire Permian Basin and have a touchpoint with every school district. With a STEM center in each elementary school, we hope to inspire young learners to explore careers in STEM fields, teach STEM concepts, and encourage them to develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed for lifelong success,” Tracee Bentley, President and CEO of the PSP, stated in the press release.
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 to honor the legend and spirit of Cal Ripken, Sr., the press release detailed. Focused on the values that Cal, Sr. embodied as a devoted coach and mentor, including leadership, work ethic, personal responsibility and healthy living, the organization has opened 157 STEM centers nationwide, among its other programs, helping strengthen America’s most underserved communities by supporting and advocating for children.
Cal Ripken, Jr., Hall of Fame shortstop and Co-Founder of the Ripken Foundation, stated in the press release: “At the Foundation we always say that you could do some good on your own, but you can do great things with special partners. The Permian Strategic Partnership is a terrific partner with us, and we are grateful for their tremendous support. 134 schools in the Permian Basin receiving state-of-the-art STEM Centers is exciting and will make such a difference in these communities. STEM has become an integral part of our work and we will only continue to do more in this space working with dedicated organizations like PSP.”
