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Musk Foundation Awards $2.5 Million to Texas Schools Near SpaceX

Second-round funding of $2.53 million has been awarded to the Brownsville Independent School District, which will be used to acquire computer gear and software for use in math and science classrooms, the district said on Wednesday.

According to Anysia R. Trevino, the district’s deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction, “we all know that the occupations of the future are all oriented to math and science.”

Literacy is impacted when math and science are improved, which is why reading is so important. Everything is intertwined. We want him to have confidence in the use of his money, therefore we are doing all we can to make that happen.

Our money is not going to be wasted on something that is not based on solid research. It is important that we give our children with the tools they need for success.”

Students will have access to a broad range of computers and software that will allow them to utilise them in a variety of ways, including laptops, iPads, desktop PCs, and interactive panels.

After announcing last week that he will gift $20 million to Cameron County schools, Elon Musk’s foundation CEO said in April that the money would be utilized to develop multiple Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

Recovering from COVID 19 pandemic-related learning impairments need these contributions, Trevino added.

“I think this hands-on approach is what our kids need,” she asserted. ‘They need to know that there are people out there who believe in them,’ Elon Musk said. They look up to him as a successful role model who cares about and invests in our community. “It boosts their self-esteem,” she said.

As one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, if not the wealthiest, Elon Musk says, ‘I am prepared to invest in them,'” It is clear to them. SpaceX is just a short drive away. “It gives them the belief that they can get there one day,” he says.

When he tweeted in March, Musk promised to contribute $10 million in downtown redevelopment. The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation’s Business Improvement and Growth (BIG) programme, which aims to repurpose vacant downtown buildings, has received $2 million of that total.

Josh Mejia, president and CEO of the BCIC, stated earlier this month that “that helped get close to 20 projects in the pipeline for downtown with the explicit aim of reactivating buildings and having new tenants come in.”

Renewable energy, human space exploration, paediatric research, and science and engineering education are the core goals of the Musk Foundation, according to its website.

When Mayor Trey Mendez spoke in April about SpaceX’s support of downtown regeneration, he noted that it was in part motivated by Musk’s aim in luring more people to the “Starbase” production/testing facility in Boca Chica. Mendez said Musk wants downtown to serve as a draw for such individuals.

According to him, “They want downtown to continue to be an attractive destination.” In other words, they want to view it as a tool for attracting new employees to their business. You are looking for more exposure to the arts and culture. You are looking for specific locations. People should be compelled to attend your event because you want them to.

Elon Musk Donated $20M to Texas Schools Near SpaceX. How Are Districts Spending It?

Point Isabel Independent School District students and employees often rush outdoors to watch rockets launch from Elon Musk’s SpaceX facility. According to the administrator of the district, they are near enough to feel it.

Those pupils will now have access to specialized classwork beginning in elementary school, thanks to a grant from the wealthy CEO, which district officials hope will spark their interest in science-related vocations.

Superintendent Theresa Capistran remarked, “We can see the rockets that fly up every time.” “It is an incredible experience for us to then bring that relevancy into the classroom via our curriculum.”

Musk said in a tweet on March 30 that he will gift $20 million to Cameron County, Texas school systems. The county, which is four hours south of San Antonio near the Mexican border, is divided into 11 districts.

While Musk’s company has made investments in the county, the county has likewise made significant investments in Musk. County officials gave SpaceX a 10-year tax exemption in 2014. At the time, the corporation and the county predicted that SpaceX will spend $85 million in Brownsville, resulting in the creation of 300 new jobs.

Musk, who has spoken publicly about his desire to establish a “city of Starbase, Texas,” has also pledged $10 million to Brownsville for “downtown regeneration.”

The Musk Foundation sent the first payment to school districts in the county last month, depending on the number of pupils enrolled in each. Point Isabel, a tiny district with 2,000 pupils, would get $112,000, which will be added to its $44 million yearly budget.

Engineering, Welding, and Cybersecurity

According to Capistran, the Musk Foundation provided some recommendations on how to spend the money, but the district ultimately made the choice. Administrators conducted a requirements analysis, examining how their courses and activities matched up with employment vacancies at SpaceX.

They decided to invest in new engineering, welding, construction, and cybersecurity curricular resources, which will be utilized from elementary through high school, according to Capistran.

Brownsville Independent School District, located 20 miles away, is projected to get millions of dollars for its 40,000 pupils. Superintendent René Gutiérrez said in a statement that administrators want to expand many vocational and technical education programs. Earlier this month, the Musk Foundation took a tour of the school’s activities.

There is no set timeframe for districts to receive the remainder of the payment, but administrators said they would keep foundation officials informed about how they use the funds.

Musk has previously given to schools, and the Musk Foundation’s bare-bones website mentions science and engineering education as one of five key areas.

Following the area’s water crisis, he gave more than $800,000 to Flint Community Schools in 2018 to upgrade technology and replace water filters. In 2014, he also opened an experimental private school on the SpaceX site, which Forbes projected will close in 2020.

He joins a long list of technology and business heavyweights who have donated to K-12 education. Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, has a long history of supporting educational causes, most notably via his foundation.

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, and his wife, Priscilla Chan, contributed $100 million to improve public schools in Newark, New Jersey. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a limited liability business created by the couple, offers charitable grants as well as investments in a variety of fields, including education enterprises. (The Gates Foundation and CZI both contribute to Education Week.)

In addition, in Washington state last year, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos opened the first in a network of preschools aimed at impoverished families.
Source: MyRGV

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Written by Alex Bruno

Alex is a writer with a passion for space exploration and a penchant for satirical commentary. He has written extensively on the latest discoveries in astronomy and astrophysics, as well as the ongoing efforts to explore our solar system and beyond. In addition to his space-related work, Alex is also known for his satirical writing, which often takes a humorous and irreverent look at contemporary issues and events. His unique blend of science and humor has earned him a dedicated following and numerous accolades. When he's not writing, Alex can often be found stargazing with his telescope or honing his comedic skills at local open mic nights.

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