The Economic Development Center (EDC) of St. Charles County, in collaboration with Partners for Community Progress, offers a STEM grant program that provides funding of up to $1,000 to K–12 classroom teachers and community organizations for STEM-related materials. This program supports innovative classroom projects that enhance science, technology, engineering, and math learning opportunities for students throughout the county. The initiative is part of a broader public policy effort to bolster STEM education in the region by encouraging educators and organizations to develop creative and engaging programming that inspires future careers in STEM fields.
Grants are available to K–12 classroom teachers at both public and private schools within St. Charles County, Missouri. In addition, community-based organizations such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, and similar entities are eligible to apply. A total of ten grants will be awarded for use during the 2025–2026 academic year. Applications are reviewed and selected by the EDC Partners Education Committee, a group composed of representatives from local school systems, businesses, and civic organizations.
Successful proposals must clearly articulate how the funding will be used to enhance classroom STEM education. Applications should request support for materials that are not currently funded through existing school budgets or included in the regular curriculum. The committee is particularly interested in funding requests that introduce innovative STEM activities, especially those that can be reused in future academic years and across multiple classes or grade levels. If the proposed project exceeds the $1,000 maximum award, applicants must explain how the remaining costs will be covered.
The EDC’s commitment to STEM education is long-standing. Over the past 15 years, the organization has developed over 100 robotics teams and organized annual STEM summer camps. It also hosts the St. Charles County STEM Awards Breakfast, an event that honors one outstanding STEM student from each public and private high school in the county. These sustained efforts reflect the EDC’s belief that investment in early STEM education builds the foundation for a skilled and innovative future workforce.
The current grant cycle supports classroom implementation during the 2025–2026 school year, though specific application dates were not provided. Interested applicants should monitor the EDC’s official channels or contact the organization for further information on how and when to apply. All applications should align with the funding guidelines and prioritize impactful use of resources that contribute to long-term student engagement in STEM disciplines.
Priority is given to applications that request reusable STEM materials and clearly explain how they will be integrated into classroom instruction.;
