The following press release was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation

Watertown — The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) in collaboration with Life Sciences Cares and five Watertown-based life science companies has awarded record setting $45,000 in grants for Watertown Public Schools.

Now in its second year, the STEM Fund, continues to build on Watertown Community Foundation’s annual school-based educational grants program to support instruction and learning in and beyond the classroom. Support from five corporate contributors— C4 Therapeutics, Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Kymera Therapeutics, Landmark Bio and Vigil Neuro science, Inc.—and Life Science Cares,  increased the foundation’s capacity to provide greater financial support for science, technology, engineering, and math programming.

“With this support, our students are extending what they learn in the classroom by engaging in real science facilitated by experts from the greater Watertown community.  We can bring hands-on programs that spark their curiosity, and the students are excited to find out more.” said Elizabeth Kaplan, Math/Science Coordinator for grades K-7, Watertown Public Schools. 

This collective giving program also allows companies, leaders, and employees in the burgeoning Watertown life sciences field to learn about Watertown Public Schools and forge deeper relationships with the school STEM community. 

“This is what makes kids excited about learning! We are grateful to this partnership and other funders who have helped us lift our grant giving.  Our funds now touch every K-5 student across the district with an enrichment opportunity in STEM.” said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, Watertown Community Foundation Board Co-President and School Grant co-chair.

“Watertown has become a vibrant sector for the life science industry. We take our commitment to being good neighbors and true partners very seriously,” said Sarah MacDonald, Executive Director of Life Science Cares Boston, an industry-wide effort to fight poverty and expand opportunity. “We are thrilled to bring together companies and connect them to people and communities where they can live this commitment.”

For more information about Watertown Community Foundation education grants for Watertown Public Schools, contact Tia Tilson at tia.tilson@watertownfoundation.org. 

Grants to Watertown Public School teachers and staff have been distributed as follows:

2022 Listing:

Cunniff: Beautiful Stuff Community Arts Project

Cunniff: Author in Residence

Cunniff: Diversity and Belonging Council

Hosmer: Diversity and Belonging Council 

Hosmer: Author Visit

Lowell School:  Author in Residence and Author Visits 

Lowell School:  Anti-Bullying Program

Lowell School: Diversity Multi-Cultural Night

WHS W CAMP (College Application Mentoring Program)

District-wide Community Event: Belonging BBQ 

District-wide Community Outreach: Families’ Basic Needs

Science Technology Education Math: STEM Initiatives

STEM Initiatives for all K-5 students in Watertown

WHS: Southwick Zoo’s Zoo Mobile Program 

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About Watertown Community Foundation 

The Watertown Community Foundation works to build and sustain a vibrant, close-knit community in Watertown – now, and for future generations. To accomplish this, WCF raises funds from people and partner institutions, awards grants to non-profits and community projects, and builds networks of donors, grantees, program participants and stakeholders. Since its inception in 2003, WCF has awarded $ 2,900,000 in grants to programs and organizations serving Watertown. 

About Life Science Cares
Life Science Cares activates the financial and human capital of the life sciences industry and partners with nonprofits to disrupt the cycle of poverty and inequality in our communities. Currently operating in five industry hubs (Boston, Philadelphia, San Diego, New York, and the San Francisco Bay Area), we envision all our neighbors having access to basic needs, access to education, and access to opportunity. Companies wishing to join the effort should contact LSC Boston Executive Director Sarah MacDonald at sarah@lifesciencecares.org. Learn more at https://lifesciencecares.org/. 

WCF Board of Directors: Lauren Coughlin Unsworth and Mary Ann Mulligan; Co-Presidents; Albrik Avanessian; Emily Barclay; Jennifer Davis; Ninos Hanna; Eileen Hsu-Balzer; Heather Leary; Maria Panaggio-Phillips; Anthony Paolillo; Lora Sabin; Robert Shay; David Siegel; Felicia Sullivan; Elaina Themistos; and Donna Tuccinardi

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