BCEF Donates $25,000 Toward BIS STEAM Lab

Renovations in the old classroom have already begun

Photo provided.

BATESVILLE, INDIANA — After a successful annual campaign, the Batesville Community Education Foundation (BCEF) recently donated $25,000 to the Batesville Community School Corporation (BCSC) for furnishings in the Batesville Intermediate School’s (BIS) new Science/Technology/Engineering/Art/Math (STEAM) lab. This remodeled room will provide a creative space at the school in which all third through fifth graders can explore STEAM activities on a weekly basis.

“The BCEF board of directors is grateful for the community and alumni support of the annual campaign,” said Anne Wilson, BCEF executive director. “Thanks to our donors, our foundation was able to provide funding to complete the STEAM lab, as we had hoped. We are excited to see how the new space at BIS turns out.”

Renovations in the old classroom have already begun, including a fresh coat of paint and new flooring. Now that the amount of the BCEF grant has been announced, BIS principal Dana Cassidy will work with a committee of teachers to select the lab tables, chairs, and other educational components to complete the modern makeover. Batesville High School (BHS) alumnus and local graphic designer Jimmy Rowland from Rowland Graphics has offered to donate some STEAM-themed graphics for the lab walls. The final completion date for the room will be dependent upon the availability of the items ultimately selected by the BIS committee.

“Just one year ago, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that this could even be a possibility,” Cassidy said. “This is going to change the trajectory of STEAM education in our school this year and for thousands of students in the future. I want to thank BCEF for listening to our needs and seeing the value in this project. The foundation’s support is more meaningful than I can put into words.”