Okefenoke REMC has made a $2,500 donation to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics education at Baker County High School in Glen St. Mary, Florida. Wayne Combs, president, OREMC Board of Directors, presented the donation to Principal Allen Murphy, S.T.E.M. Teachers Byronelle Williams and Foster Bennett, and some of their students.

OREMC Board President presents $2,500 donation to Baker County High School principal, teachers and students.Williams and Bennett said they would like to use the funds to put toward the purchase of 3-D printers. Williams explained there is a program that enables two teachers and 10 students to get 3-D certified and includes two learning kits: brain impact simulator and hand simulator.

“Using a 3-D printer with the associated curriculum materials would enable an integrated teaching approach that exemplifies the necessary hierarchy of knowledge,” noted Bennett. “The equipment demonstrates how sensors, robotics and programming interconnect in a very hands-on way.”

OREMC Member Relations Representative Dewayne Johns said, “It is always interesting to learn how the different S.T.E.M. programs want to use the funds to help spark ideas as students think about future career paths.”

He explained donations such as this are made possible to qualifying organizations using funds from OREMC’s unclaimed capital credits. “Supporting education in our communities is one of OREMC’s founding cooperative principles. Promoting the growth and development of our young people academically, increases the knowledge capital in our communities and fosters work force development and economic well-being.”