Nov 28, 2016–The Bezos Family Foundation has awarded a grant to SystemsGo, the Fredericksburg, Texas-based nonprofit organization that provides curricula and training in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education to students in Texas and New Mexico high schools.
“These funds are a blessing for SystemsGo,” said Scott Netherland, Executive Director of SystemsGo. “We are honored that the Bezos family believes in our work of creating the workforce of tomorrow by bestowing this very generous grant.”
The Bezos Family Foundation is a private, independent foundation established by Jackie and Mike Bezos. Their vision is that all young people are prepared to achieve their full potential and make a meaningful contribution to society. They support rigorous, inspired learning environments for young people, through investments in research, public awareness and programs.
The funds will help support the innovative SystemsGo program, developed by Brett Williams at Fredericksburg High School in 1997 and now used in schools across Texas and New Mexico.
SystemsGo offers a four-year STEM curriculum that features a “project based” approach to learning. Students move from designing and building small model rockets as well as vehicles that loft a one-pound payload one mile high. The next level involves reaching the sound barrier. Every year in May, teams travel to Fredericksburg or Houston to launch those rockets.
The highest level requires students to design and build a rocket that launches at the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range. This rocket is designed to loft a 35-pound payload to 80,000 to 100,000 feet.
The program has been featured on NBC Nightly News, is endorsed by NASA and certified by The Space Foundation.
More information is available online at www.systemsgo.org, via email at info@systemsgo.org, or by calling 830-997-3567.
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