Building Bridges to Careers, this summer, announced a new professional development series for local teachers to expand their network of support by tapping into other community networks. “The class is designed to expose teachers to innovative technology used in various employment sectors by teaching them to use the technology available in the Epicenter Makerspace and connecting it to the curriculum they teach,” said Tasha Werry, Building Bridges to Career Director.

Tasha hopes this connection will encourage teachers to connect their students to the technology through a field trip to the Epicenter. Participating teachers will have an opportunity to apply for a mini-grant supported by the Marietta Community Foundation to help cover transportation and/or material costs, as needed, which will aid their efforts to provide innovative projects and programs for their students in the future.

One such teacher, at Frontier Local Schools, received one of the mini-grants to send her 7th grade students to the Epicenter.

"The Building Bridges to Careers program has created so many wonderful projects for our students and families, but our remote location inhibits opportunities and exposure for our students." commented Kristi Leonard, Junior High School Math teacher with Frontier Schools. "Par Mar Stores, a local family and the Marietta Community Foundation have made it possible for Frontier to bus our students to the epicenter. For that we are grateful!"

“By connecting the teachers directly to the Foundation, they will be exposed to philanthropic efforts that support education and learn to tap into this resource for the benefit of their students,” Werry added.

The Foundation encourages teachers throughout all of Washington County School districts to apply for the mini-grant program for field trips to the Epicenter, as well as, for other projects within the schools.