CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia has been awarded a STEM Education grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation, aimed at supporting STEM-focused programs for underserved students.
The funding will help launch two traveling exhibits in fall 2025: Water’s Extreme Journey and Wild Kratts – Ocean Adventure.
In addition, the Clay Center received a $50,000 grant for its Clay2Go program, a mobile STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) exhibit that provides hands-on learning experiences in communities across the state.
The grant will support 17 Clay2Go visits from January 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with each visit valued at $3,000.
“The Clay Center serves as an educational resource across the state by offering engaging, interactive exhibits both at our facility in Charleston, WV, and through our mobile STEAM exhibit, Clay2Go, which travels to all across West Virginia,” said Al Najjar, Clay Center President & CEO.
“The American Water Charitable Foundation’s grants help ensure that all West Virginia students and families, regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic backgrounds, have access to the Clay Center’s hands-on exhibits.”
The grants are part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, which supports initiatives advancing education, sustainability, and equity.
“The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to support initiatives that provide access to high-quality learning students need to be successful,” said Carrie Williams, President of the Foundation. “We take pride in supporting American Water’s continued efforts to be a responsible neighbor and reliable partner in the community.”
The Clay Center, a nonprofit organization in Charleston, is one of the few facilities in the country that combines performing arts, visual arts, and sciences under one roof.
