Sponsors
The Washington Mutual Foundation has generously donated $50,000 to ETEC to develop programs to improve science education in rural schools. The Washington Mutual Foundation was created in 1979 to help local communities served by Washington Mutual. In 2000, Washington Mutual donated more than $41 million in grants, sponsorships and other in-kind donations in communities where Washington Mutual does business. Washington Mutual focuses its giving in three areas:
Community Development/Affordable Housing: The Foundation supports programs that make long-term, safe, accessible, and affordable housing available for low- to moderate-income individuals and families.
Education: Support is provided for community-based or public school programs that allow kids in K-12 to reach their full academic potential.
Civic Betterment: Support is granted for programs that
- complement our volunteer commitments
- provide arts education or strengthen the arts community in metro areas
- provide critical services to historically underserved populations
- allow Washington Mutual to participate in an important community initiative
- funds are limited in this category.
Bio-Rad Laboratories has generously donated over $2,000 in laboratory supplies and $10,000 in educational discounts to provide for teacher training by ETEC. For those of you who are not familiar with Bio-Rad, here is a little background.
Since 1957, Bio-Rad has been a leading multinational manufacturer and distributor of cutting-edge products for life science research, clinical diagnostics, and life science education. They are the "ACE Hardware Store" for the biotech research industry. Since 1995, Bio-Rad has made science education a major priority. Bio-Rad understands the need to support the education of a scientifically literate population and believe that this goal is best met by enabling educators and their students to explore the scientific process through hands-on experience.
The Gavilan College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has generously provided over $17,000 in support for equipment and personnel to establish the ETEC/STEP regional education centers. The Gavilan College SBDC has been awarded a five-year grant to act as the "Region 5 Center for Applied Biotechnologies." This as a major opportunity to assist the continued development of an educational collaborative specifically dedicated to biotechnology and bio-med training.
The center's ultimate objectives are to provide a platform for commercialization of agricultural biotechnology innovation and research, a biotechnology incubator for small biotechnology business opportunities and the creation of jobs for the residents of Monterey, San Benito and southern Santa Clara counties. A significant part of this program will be a student outreach and education element that will be critical to developing a strong biotechnology and bio-medical center that will support small business creation and job development. Region 5 encompasses a significant segment of the central part of the state. We view this as a major opportunity to assist the continued development of an educational collaborative specifically dedicated to biotechnology and bio-med training. Some of the Center for Applied Biotechnologies objectives will include developing curriculum based certificate classes for students that will produce jobs with higher wages, develop summer and cooperative work experience internships. A specialized skill based science program for high school students. A biotechnology incubator that provides points of contact and ready access to a variety of technical skills that can increase the commercial viability and enhance efforts of Biotechnologies Innovation and workforce development.
