Randy Schilling speaks at the St. Charles County STEM Awards Breakfast
St. Charles County takes a significant stride in advancing STEM education with a groundbreaking commitment from local entrepreneur and STEM advocate Randy Schilling and his wife Sibby. By pledging $100,000 over the next decade to the Randy Schilling STEM Educators Grant program, the Schillings underscore the County's dedication to preparing today's workforce for future careers in high-demand STEM industries.
Launched in 2021 as an EDC public policy initiative, the Randy Schilling STEM Educators Grant is open to K-12 teachers at public and private schools in St. Charles County. Since its inception, EDC has collaborated with the Schillings and other sponsors to award teachers in St. Charles County with grants of up to $1,000 to fund STEM-related classroom materials.
To date, the grant has put $46,000 in STEM materials into local schools, including a program high of $20,000 distributed in 2024. Materials awarded to teachers have ranged from seeds for a culinary classroom, Legos, and basic robotics kits, to drones, a thermocycler for DNA amplification, 3-D printers, and more.
"Sibby and I are thrilled to reaffirm our commitment to educators and students by providing crucial funding for STEM classroom materials," remarked Schilling. "Through sustained investment in STEM grants, we aim not only to enrich educational opportunities but also to lay the groundwork for a brighter, more innovative future for all of St. Charles County."
The EDC will work to secure pledges of support from additional donors and award as much as $20,000 annually inclusive of Schilling's $10,000 annual commitment. Over the years, other sponsors have included General Motors, Jim and Randie Eberlin, and Partners for Community Progress.
"Each year, the number of STEM applications this grant receives from local educators far outstrips funding available," said Scott J. Drachnik, President & CEO of the EDC. "With this backing, alongside support from other sponsors, we are aiming to greatly expand the number of classrooms and students we can impact each year.”
For over two decades, the EDC has been a steadfast champion of STEM education, spearheading the creation of over 100 robotics teams, helping launch STEM summer camps, facilitating coding projects for K-12 students, and hosting the annual St. Charles County STEM Awards Breakfast.
Individuals or organizations interested in contributing to next year's grant should contact Amanda Schaub via the details below.
EDC of St. Charles County
(636) 229-5286