Education foundation gives Lawrence Township schools $32,140 for STEAM ZSpace stations

The Lawrence Township Education Foundation presented the Board of Education with a $32,140 grant from Bristol Myers Squibb to support STEAM instruction in Lawrence Township Public Schools, the foundation and district leaders said at the board meeting.

The grant will fund five ZSpace immersive learning stations, associated software licenses, a one-year warranty and on-site professional learning, Bonnie Giglio, executive director of the Lawrence Township Education Foundation, told the board. "The LTF is honored and excited to present the Board of Education with a check for $32,140 in support of STEAM Education in the Lawrence Township Public Schools," Giglio said.

District officials said the ZSpace systems combine elements of augmented and virtual reality to let students manipulate three‑dimensional models in collaborative settings. The foundation said the district plans to integrate the stations into technology- and STEAM-focused classes to support active, project-based learning.

"Thanks to a grant from our amazing community partner, Bristol Myers Squibb," Giglio said, the LTEF worked with district supervisors to identify needs and secure the funding. The foundation described the grant as titled "Expanding Access to Authentic STEAM Experiences with Z Space Immersive Learning Stations." The package includes configuration, program licenses, an onboard training session and an on-site professional learning day.

Superintendent Robin Klim thanked the foundation at the meeting: "Thank you, and we are so thrilled to be awarded this significant grant to advance STEAM in our district." District staff said the equipment is intended for use across grade levels and to promote collaboration in science, math, engineering and technology curricula.

The board did not take a separate vote on the donation; the presentation was recorded as part of the public meeting agenda.

Details noted at the meeting

- Grant amount: $32,140. - Fund source named in the presentation: Bristol Myers Squibb (corporate grant to LTEF). - Equipment: five ZSpace immersive learning stations, configuration and one-year warranty, associated software licenses, one on-site professional learning day and an onboarding training session.

Speakers

- Bonnie Giglio, Executive Director, Lawrence Township Education Foundation (nonprofit). First referenced at transcript timestamp ~1033.64. - Robin Klim, Superintendent (government). First referenced at transcript timestamp ~1301.705.

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topics":[{"name":"education_technology","justification":"Direct grant funding for immersive STEAM hardware and software for district classrooms.","scoring":{"topic_relevance":1.0,"depth_score":0.75,"opinionatedness":0.00,"controversy":0.10,"civic_salience":0.40,"impactfulness":0.35,"geo_relevance":1.00}}]},{"id":"assessments-ap-results","headline":"District reports mixed NJGPA results, growth on WIDA ACCESS and strong AP participation","shortSummary":"District presenters reported that 86 percent of students met the NJGPA cut score in English while 57 percent met the math cut score; 217 students took the WIDA ACCESS test with 7 percent scoring 4.5 or higher, and the district said AP exam scores and AP course enrollment rose in key subjects.","body":"District administrators presented New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA) and WIDA ACCESS results along with Advanced Placement exam outcomes at the board meeting, saying English scores were strong, mathematics proficiency lagged, and AP participation and performance rose in…