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Jackson Foundation to help three middle schools

By Sarah Shurge vironment. These kits are built to
In 1997, Major League Baseball develop skills and highlight career
Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, cre- pathways for long-term effects. Stu-
ated a foundation with a specific goal dents can also earn portable creden-
in mind. This goal was to help tials that can be shared with
“bridge the digital divide” for the ben- mentors or future employers.
efit of disadvantaged kids whose cir- Since 2014, MOF has been fund-
cumstances might affect their ability ing STEM101 in schools across the
to get a good education. country and now in greater Detroit.
Inspired by his father’s words: Wayne-Westland Community
“Sports are great, son, but your legs Schools have partnered with Eastern
will give out someday. Get an educa- Michigan University and the Mr. Oc-
tion; no one can ever take that away tober Foundation to bring STEM101
from you,” Jackson wanted to make to three of our middle schools:
a difference for underserved kids Adams, Franklin and Stevenson.
and support schools that are doing They donated 110 STEM kits to
exceptional work for these children. the middle school students this
Jackson, nicknamed “Mr. Octo- spring. A STEM101 summer camp
ber” created the Mr. October Founda- is being sponsored for the 4-8 grade
tion for Kids (MOF) over 20 years students. Also, they will be providing
ago in order to do just that. Reggie Jackson announces that he will be working with three Wayne-Westland mid- opportunities for the middle school
For the last six years, MOF has students this fall as one of the com-
teamed up with STEM101 (The dle Schools. Photo by John Rhaesa munity partners.
STEM Academy), a national non- to advancing economic development based on the idea of educating stu- If you want to learn more about
profit organization based in Park by improving STEM literacy for all dents in those four specific disci- the Mr. October Foundation, you can
City, Utah. students. plines. visit the website at mroctober.org.
The STEM Academy, Inc. has de- STEM generally stands for sci- STEM101 has created individual If you want to learn more about
veloped a middle and high school ence, technology, engineering, and "Skill Kits" for students that can be STEM101, you can visit the website
STEM curriculum and is dedicated mathematics, and is a curriculum used at home or in any learning en- at stem101.org.

18 · July 2021 · The Wayne Dispatch