CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (March 12, 2020) – Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has announced a commitment of $210,000 to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education programs in Iowa.
A grant of $100,000 will go to NewBoCo to support its K-12 computer coding workshops and engineering project learning programs, which provide hands-on experience and aim to inspire youth to pursue STEM-related fields. A portion of the donation will go towards supporting NewBoCo’s Code.org program which, through professional and curriculum development, aims to ensure every child in Iowa has access to computer programming courses in school.
Kirkwood Community College will receive $60,000 to support two major STEM initiatives. The first is the school’s Project Lead the Way program that gives students a chance to tackle real-world engineering challenges, preparing them for a degree in a STEM-related field. K-12 work-based learning programs will also be supported with the donation, which gives students a chance to experience a real job in the industry before entering college.
A donation of $50,000 will also go to the Iowa Children’s Museum in Coralville, Iowa. The funds will be used to support the museum’s ‘STEM Smart’ programming and revitalize the museum’s ‘Take Flight’ exhibit.
The donations are part of the company’s corporate social responsibility program called Redefining Futures, which helps focus the company’s efforts to increase its impact locally and globally by aligning resources. One of the key pillars of the program is to focus on engaging and inspiring youth, with an emphasis on improving the under-representation of girls and minorities, to enter STEM fields.
Based on a recent report released from the Iowa STEM Council, there were over 14,000 STEM job vacancies statewide. From 2017 to 2019, enrollment in high school engineering and technology courses decreased by 7-percent.
“To meet the workforce demands of tomorrow, we must begin building a pipeline of talent today,” said Phil Jasper, president, Missions Systems for Collins Aerospace. “We, no doubt, will continue to see an increase in jobs requiring STEM-related skills, particularly in Iowa. With investments in STEM education programs, Collins Aerospace is playing a key role in inspiring kids at an early age to become the next great innovators.”
About Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Created in 2018 by bringing together UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins, Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market. For more information, visit CollinsAerospace.com.
About NewBoCo
The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo) is a 501(c)(3) organization located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. NewBoCo’s programming supports entrepreneurship, innovation, and tech education to help Iowans become more resilient and thrive in a changing economy. NewBoCo Entrepreneurship is building a thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurial resources in order to create impactful startup businesses that grow here.
About United Technologies Corporation
United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. By combining a passion for science with precision engineering, the company is creating smart, sustainable solutions the world needs. For more information about the company, visit our website at www.utc.com or follow us on Twitter: @UTC.