Piece of the Pi partners each year with the Arizona Science Center (ASC), the statewide provider of STEM education programs for Arizona’s youth, to raise money for scholarships and programs that fulfill our goal of advancing equitable STEM education accessibility. Our 2024 fundraiser proceeds were first used to fund the very first Piece of the Pi-sponsored Panel Professionals event at ASC, which took place on March 2nd, 2024. All remaining proceeds were donated to the same program benefitted by our 2023 fundraiser: ASC’s STEM Discovery Initiative, which supports a number of their STEM education programs*, including the following.

  • Focused Field Trips : This program covers free school field trips to Title I schools, including their students, teachers, and chaperones. Prior to their field trips, all educators participating in this program attend an orientation during which they “explore ways to use [ASC’s] exhibits and galleries as extensions of [their] classroom and discover the keys to a successful field trip.”

  • Girls in STEM Program : This program is a “mission-critical initiative aimed at inspiring, empowering, and encouraging interest in STEM among students in grades 4-8. The program’s goal is to introduce girls to STEM concepts in a fun and relevant way while partnering with companies and women that help nurture their interest in exploring STEM as a profession.” Multiple educational events are held throughout the year as part of this initiative.

  • Science on Wheels : This program “delivers engaging science experiences to classrooms and community centers throughout Arizona.” Many schools positively impacted by Science on Wheels are Title I schools.

  • Camp Innovation : This is a STEM-based camp for elementary school students that takes place during schools’ Spring Break.

Other programs supported by ASC’s STEM Discovery Initiative are the Fund-A-Bus program, the Science Teacher Residency (STaR) program, and the Teen Engagement Initiative. More information can be found on their website, azscience.org.

*Source: Arizona Science Center (azscience.org)

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