(left to right) Charles Prestage, Kroger store manager; Dr. Sarah Janes, vice president of the San Jacinto College Continuing and Professional Development division; and Angie Hughes, director of the San Jacinto College Aerospace Academy. Photo credit: Jeannie Peng-Armao, San Jacinto College marketing department

Kroger donates funds toward San Jacinto College underwater robotics education

 Jeannie Peng-Armao -- October 17, 2012

PASADENA, Texas – The Kroger Company recently donated $4,000 toward the San Jacinto College Aerospace Academy's mission to provide scholarships for underwater robotics education.

This year, the Academy is working with K-12 educators across the region to deliver underwater robotics curriculum in efforts to increase science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in classrooms. Two-day student workshops will be held on Jan. 19 and 26, and May 11 and 18; teacher workshops will be held on Dec. 6 and 7, and Feb. 16 and 23. Activities will include soldering techniques, robotics instruction, and a tour of the NASA-Johnson Space Center.

Thanks to Kroger, 10 scholarships are now available for teachers, and 20 are available for students. "Partnerships with local community are very important to Kroger," said Charles Prestage, Kroger store manager in Clear Lake. Forbes Magazine ranks Kroger as the most generous corporation in America.

"We are the store that services the NASA community,” added Prestage. “We want to help kids grow and experience what the aerospace community has to offer at a young age. Donations that contribute toward their education impact us all.”

Since 2008, the company has awarded $4 million to thousands of Texas and Louisiana charity organizations through Neighbor-to-Neighbor. The program gives nonprofits, faith-based organizations and schools the opportunity to raise capital and allows shoppers to give back by using their Kroger Plus Card.

"Donations like this one give back a hundredfold," said Dr. Sarah Janes, vice president of the College’s Continuing and Professional Development division. "We must help the next generation carry on the efforts of the aerospace community, one that affects every aspect of our lives from research to helping out with major events in the world. We thank Kroger for supporting our mission in continuing STEM education."

The San Jacinto College Aerospace Academy is housed at the NASA-Johnson Space Center and collaborates with education, industry, government, economic development, and community groups to advance STEM career development. Through innovative P-20 student and educator programs, and career enhancement activities supporting STEM professionals, the Academy supports activities to bridge the gap between education and industry.

For information about how to apply for a teacher or student underwater robotics scholarship, contact Bridget Kramer 281-244-6803 bridget.a.kramer@nasa.gov.

About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.