City of Newport News, VA

06/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/17/2025 12:56

City of Newport News Supported COVA STEM Hub Awards Nearly $300,000 in Grants

The Coastal Virginia STEM Hub (COVA STEM Hub), a regional learning ecosystem deeply rooted in the City of Newport News, has announced over $295,000 in grant awards to 16 organizations across the Coastal Virginia region. These funds will support initiatives that enhance access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for learners from pre-K through adulthood.

Backed by the City of Newport News and supported by Virginia Peninsula Community College, the COVA STEM Hub was created to bridge gaps in STEM education access across Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore, and surrounding communities. These new grants underscore Newport News' role as a catalyst in growing a more STEM-literate and economically resilient region.

"The City of Newport News is not just a supporter-we are a committed partner in this work," said Alan K. Archer, Newport News City Manager. "Through COVA STEM, we are ensuring that students, educators, and communities across our region are equipped for the future, starting with the opportunities we help create today."

Grant funding was first announced in April, drawing a highly competitive pool of applications. Awardees include educational institutions, museums, nonprofits, and community organizations that demonstrated a strong commitment to building inclusive, high-impact STEM programs.

The 2025 COVA STEM Grant recipients include:

  • National Institute of Aerospace ($60,000): Professional learning for educators and students through GLOBE certification.
  • An Achievable Dream ($30,750): Expansion of AI and coding curriculum to boost student confidence.
  • STARBASE Victory Inc. ($30,000): Teacher Academy and program expansion to support middle school CTE pathways.
  • Nauticus ($25,000): Scaling its STEM to STERN Careers program for elementary students.
  • Community Outreach Coalition ($22,000): A career-focused STEM Boot Camp for underserved students.
  • Virginia Space Grant Consortium ($20,000): Elementary STEM education focused on AI literacy.
  • FullSTEAM ($20,000): After-school transdisciplinary STEAM learning for youth.
  • Virginia Living Museum ($16,000): STEM career awareness and teacher development programs.
  • Virtual Science Teachers ($15,550): Online STEM education resources for Suffolk and Hampton Roads.
  • The Mariners' Museum and Park ($12,768): "Diving into STEM" technology-focused career exploration.
  • Art Technically ($12,000): Regional STEM outreach and student engagement expansion.
  • Youth Sailing Virginia ($10,000): Maritime-focused "Learn to Sail with STEM" youth program.
  • Chesapeake Public Schools ($10,000): STEM carts to enhance learning throughout the district.
  • Rosie Riveters ($6,500): STEM empowerment for girls and workforce development.
  • Horizons Hampton Roads ($5,150): "We Are Change-Makers" initiative to extend STEM access.
  • Newport News Public Schools ($700): STEM-focused book acquisition to promote literacy in science and technology.

The COVA STEM Hub, launched in 2021, is a collaborative network of educators, industry partners, nonprofits, libraries, and museums, with a vision of building STEM-rich learning environments for all. Through support from the Commonwealth of Virginia, COVA STEM operates under the Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES) framework, helping residents of all ages develop critical thinking and design skills essential for modern industries.

For more information on COVA STEM and future grant opportunities, visit https://cova-stem-nngov.hub.arcgis.com/ .

City of Newport News, VA published this content on June 17, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 17, 2025 at 18:57 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io