The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, Maryville University and the Regions Foundation announced a new partnership that will provide STEM educational programming for elementary school students in the Greater East St. Louis area.

Supported by a $100,000 contribution from the Regions Foundation, the JJK Center Elementary Learning Program will launch this fall. The program will build on a collaboration between the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center and Maryville University’s Center for Access and Achievement.

Already, the collaboration supports high-need high school districts and nonprofits by equipping students with skills to succeed in STEM fields in college and their future careers. The new partnership will expand the program’s reach to serve elementary-aged students as well.

The Regions Foundation contribution will fund teacher training and STEM materials for the program. In addition, the funding will support family engagement workshops to facilitate remote learning, as well as after-school and summer classes.

“This is a great opportunity for youth at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center to learn about the importance of STEM education at an early age,” said Joyner-Kersee. “Our mission is to instill youth with the dream, drive and determination necessary to succeed in academics, athletics and leadership. This initiative will greatly assist us in the fulfillment of guiding youth toward academic success, and I am grateful to be a part of such an empowering endeavor.”

Reaching and serving students who may not otherwise receive the opportunity to experience STEM education and the lasting impacts it provides were key factors in the Regions Foundation pledging its support. “This program is especially important because it introduces the world of STEM to children at such an early age,” said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation. “We’re opening the door for younger children to begin exploring possibilities they may have never considered and encouraging them to dream now about what their future can be and prepare for it.”