The PPG Foundation in 2017 invested $88,000 in grants to support national science education initiatives; more than $1.4 million to support educational and community sustainability programs in the Greater Pittsburgh area, where PPG maintains its global headquarters and several facilities; and more than $600,000 to 11 universities considered premier institutions in the disciplines of polymer science and engineering, chemical engineering, materials science and synthetic organic chemistry.

The national science education initiative grants highlight PPG’s commitment to increasing educational opportunities for youth in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
 
The grant recipients and funding purposes were:

• Chemical Educational Foundation: $25,000 for three science education programs for students in kindergarten through eighth grade and their educators nationwide.
• National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering: $10,000 in financial and educational support for young African American, Latino and American Indian women and men actively pursuing an engineering degree.
• Science Buddies: $13,000 for free resources for hands-on science inquiry for students, teachers and parents, and the "Done in a Day" volunteer project that engaged PPG scientists in the development of science fair project ideas for students in kindergarten through 12^thgrade.
• Society for Science & the Public: $15,000 for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Education Outreach Day Program, which gives students and teachers a chance to experience science firsthand.
• Twin Cities Public Television: $25,000 to support national programming of the “SCIGIRLS” PBS KIDS television show and website for young people ages 8-12.

 
“We are very pleased to support these organizations as they introduce students across the U.S. to STEM through engaging, hands-on education,” said Sue Sloan, executive director, the PPG Foundation. “Ensuring this next generation of innovators is equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in areas like advanced manufacturing is a priority for PPG and the PPG Foundation.”

The Pittsburgh-area grants highlight PPG’s commitment to supporting local communities where its employees live, work and play.
 
The grant recipients and funding purposes were:

• Allegheny Intermediate Unit: $25,000 for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming and professional development for public libraries, Head Start classrooms and elementary schools in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties to enhance their early learning programming.
• Allegheny Land Trust: $3,000 for the STEM-based Water Resources and the Web of Life program for middle and high school students.
• American Chemical Society: $5,500 to support National Chemistry Week and provide funding for top organic chemistry graduate students to attend the society’s Graduate Research Symposium to engage in career development workshops and networking.
• American National Red Cross Western Pennsylvania Region: $200,000 in relief for victims of 2017 disasters, including hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
• < >: $20,000 for the Project-Based Learning Teacher Externships program, which provides classroom educators with teacher externships at STEM-related businesses.Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: $10,000 to provide free access to STEM Super Science: Robotics & Coding programs and resources for 2,500 children, their families and educators.
• Carnegie Mellon University: $3,000 for sponsorship of an educational session at the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association Symposium.
• Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: $40,000 for sponsorship of the Hands-On Harley exhibit and Color Days.
• Franklin County Historical Society: $5,000 for general operating support.
• Friends of the Monroeville Public Library: $2,500 for PPG @ MPL – Where Science and Kids Meet for the Summer, which is a series of programs and activities that encourage engagement in and understanding of STEM topics.
• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank: $30,000 for general support to feed people in need and mobilize the community to eliminate hunger.
• Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences (PGSS) Campaign: $20,000 for a five-week summer residential program at Carnegie Mellon University to help increase the number of Pennsylvania students who are academically and socially prepared for post-secondary education in science and math.
• Pirates Charities: $5,000 for educational materials for the Pirates Education Days program, which provides schoolchildren with the opportunity to attend a baseball game with an academic focus.
• Pittsburgh Symphony: $5,000 for the Kraft Heinz Audience of the Future program, which provides students with opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) concepts through hands-on technologies and maker activities focused on music and the science of sound.
• Pittsburgh Trust For Cultural Resources: $43,500 for arts education programming and curriculum refinement for the Makers Space Program.
• Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: $550,000 for ongoing educational program support.
• Reading Is FUNdamental Pittsburgh: $10,000 for math- and science-themed activities that reinforce concepts presented through read-aloud books as part of the organization’s Books for Keeps Program. 
• Springdale Free Public Library: $1,000 for ongoing programming and materials.
• The Extra Mile Education Foundation: $8,000 in financial support for urban children and their families seeking a values-based pre-kindergarten through eighth grade education in select parochial schools.
• United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania: $406,250 for the Impact Fund campaign; United for Women Initiative; disaster relief; Children & Youth STEM; and other initiatives.
• WQED Multimedia: $10,000 to support “Design Lives Here,” a STEM-based supplemental educational program for students in fifth through eighth grades.

 
“We are proud to support programs that increase the educational opportunities for youth and quality of life for all citizens in PPG’s hometown,” Sloan said.

The 2017 grants to the universities were made on behalf of PPG’s corporate science and technology function. 
 
The grants supported an array of programs and initiatives, including graduate student fellowships, symposiums and conferences, scholarships, mentorship programs and other initiatives at the following universities:

• California Polytechnic State University;
• Carnegie Mellon University;
• North Dakota State University;
• Northwestern University;
• Penn State University;
• University of Michigan;
• University of Akron;
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
• University of Massachusetts, Amherst;
• University of Pittsburgh;
• University of Wisconsin.

 
“PPG and the PPG Foundation are committed to supporting the development of the next generation of chemists and engineers, who will create tomorrow’s innovative technologies,” said Mike Makowski, PPG senior research associate.