The Alcoa Foundation announced 2012 grants of more than $200,000 to 10 non-profit and educational organizations in Blount, Knox and Sevier counties in Tennessee and Graham County, N.C., including a $25,000 Sally Ride Science grant to benefit more than 3,000 local fifth to eighth graders.

Alcoa Tennessee Operations’ Community Advisory Board, consisting of 10 local business, community and government leaders, evaluated more than 50 grant proposals in recommending projects the Alcoa Foundation should fund in 2012-13.

“Based on input from the local community and our Community Advisory Board in addition to aligning with the business goals of the Alcoa Tennessee Operations, the 2012 grant selection process focused on education and environment with an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) initiatives,” said Ken McMillen, Alcoa Tennessee Operations Location Manager.

With the Sally Ride Science Grant of $25,000, more than 3,000 fifth to eighth graders in Blount and Knox counties will receive books that will expose them to the STEM curriculum.  These books contain specific strategies:  changing the image of STEM, providing students with positive role models and supplying curriculum to encourage students to remain or become involved in STEM and ideally pursue STEM careers.

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