The National Youth Science Foundation announced it has acquired the $20 million facilities constructed by the Canaan Valley Institute, subject to a federal reversionary interest, and will re-commission the campus as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Center. Judge Ronald Pearson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, stated, “without the prompt action of the Tucker County Commission in calling a community meeting held on December 3, 2014 and the overwhelming support of the Canaan Valley community to use CVI as a STEM Education Center, this acquisition would not have been possible.”
Located on Corridor H, the Foundation plans to conduct STEM education enrichment programs on the campus and hopes to qualify as one of West Virginia’s STEM education hubs, as it simultaneously advances its plans to expand STEM education programming, long conducted programs through the National Youth Science Camp now in progress, and other West Virginia student programs.
The State of West Virginia became known in 1963, as it celebrated the West Virginia centennial, for recognizing the importance of supporting STEM education by conducting the first National Youth Science Camp. After that first program, the National Youth Science Camp has stimulated the interest of thousands of talented people from across the nation and other lands as it has expanded on and improved the Science Camp and conducted several programs for West Virginia students.
The acquisition of the STEM Education Center, constructed by Canaan Valley Institute (CVI), with a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) grant near Davis, West Virginia on Corridor H, and adjacent to other property the Foundation has acquired for expanded programming, positions the Foundation not only to expand its national programs, but also to offer programming for West Virginia students that could benefit as many as 1,000 West Virginia students every year if state program funding is provided.
The Foundation acquired this magnificent STEM Education Center, with labs and a living machine for wastewater treatment, as a result of the generosity of its 6,000 alumni and other supporters. Together, they have pledged funds sufficient to meet the overhead expenses of the STEM Education Center for the first five years of operation. The Foundation will seek program funding to build the staff to reach many more West Virginia students throughout the calendar year.
The Chairman of the National Youth Science Foundation, Judge Ronald Pearson, acknowledged the enthusiastic support and assistance from Senator Joe Manchin, whose meetings with NOAA officials and support for the Foundation’s efforts were instrumental in the acquisition of this STEM Education Center. Pearson said the Senator was tireless in his outreach and effective in his persuasion as to the importance of this facility, not only to the State of West Virginia, but also to the nation as efforts increase to improve our standing in the world for generating top quality scientists. Senator Manchin and newly elected Senator Capito were a united team in lining up the critical support for NOAA and the Department of Commerce to obtain federal support for this sale to the Foundation.
National Youth Science Foundation Executive Director Andrew Blackwood emphasized that expanded STEM programs for West Virginia students would play an integral part in creating opportunities to expand the Foundation’s efforts to develop a national center for STEM, from which hundreds of West Virginia students and teachers could benefit. The Foundation is planning to provide program outlines and cost information to West Virginia’s Governor, Earl Ray Tomblin, and State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michael Martirano, for programs that can be offered for West Virginia students. We believe the Governor understands how important it is to improve STEM education for West Virginia students.
