Pictured from left to right Denise Durel, President & CEO, United Way of Southwest Louisiana; Cleo Williams, Assistant Principal, Lake Arthur Elementary School.
United Way of Southwest Louisiana is providing uniforms and a NASA STEM program for Jefferson Davis Parish School Board this year. New school uniforms for Lake Arthur Elementary Schools in Jeff Davis parish have already been purchased and are waiting at the school. The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program, a STEM program, has also been funded by the nonprofit for all middle and high school students in Jefferson Davis parish.
“Developing children to their full potential is one of our high priorities,” explained Denise Durel, President and CEO, United Way of Southwest Louisiana. “Investing in a child’s educational future takes many different forms. Academic success begins with having all of the tools necessary to learn and in these cases uniforms are what is needed for our smallest and STEM is needed for our youth.”
Students in Jefferson Davis parish from 5th grade to high school will have the opportunity to develop microgravity experiments for a national competition. Region 5 will now be provided with a flight certified, microgravity research mini-laboratory for the competition. Students, working in teams, will research and propose an experiment in order to secure a spot on the actual flight into space.
“This spaceflight competition is an incredible opportunity for our community,” says Durel. “Each winning experiment will be transported into space and returned to Earth after 4-6 weeks aboard the International Space Station. We know it will inspire a student to think about being a scientist, engineer or astronaut.”
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About United Way of Southwest Louisiana
Working with the community and many partners for 81 years, United Way of Southwest Louisiana tackles the critical human services issues facing our five-parish footprint of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis. Our United approach is changing the odds for all children, families and individuals in the community, so that we all have the opportunity to succeed. Learn more about our life-changing work at Unitedwayswla.org and follow us on social media @UnitedWayofSWLA