NMSU’s STEM Outreach Center awarded $26.5 million grant to continue

The STEM Outreach Center at NMSU received a five-year, $26.5 million grant in late 2021 to continue and extend support for much-needed after-school programs in Doña Ana, Grant and Hidalgo counties. 

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, offered through the New Mexico Public Education Department, increased the number of learning centers the STEM Outreach Center serves from 26 to 47. As part of the grant, Hobbs Municipal Schools received funding from the STEM Outreach Center for their out-of-school-time programs, serving an additional 17 schools. 

“This grant speaks to our history of providing good-quality systems and programs,” says Wanda Bulger-Tamez, director of the STEM Outreach Center. 

The grant is offered to high-need schools through the national 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. The STEM Outreach Center is partnering with school districts and organizations such as Ngage New Mexico, Cruces Creatives, STEAMing Ahead for Success and La Semilla Food Center to provide a wide range of community resources.