Junior Achievement of N.J. receives $25,000 STEM grant from Bayer Fund

Junior Achievement of New Jersey on Tuesday said it received a grant for $25,000 from Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S.

The funding will be used to inspire New Jersey’s students for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through JA Crack the Code hands-on learning experiences, comprised of a series of free coding and STEM workshops.

“We are grateful for receiving this generous contribution from Bayer Fund. Their continued investment will help us to prepare and motivate New Jersey youth for successful STEM careers. We look forward to continuing to inspire young people through our immersive STEM learning experiences.” James Horne Jr., CEO and president of JANJ, said.

Given that careers in STEM fields are in high demand, yet diversity remains a challenge, JANJ has a unique opportunity to make STEM learning and awareness into fun, interactive educational experiences through JA Crack the Code.

This creative space for 8-to-15-year-old students, encourages the discovery of careers in STEM, while learning from older peers and professionals with similar backgrounds. High school students serve as role models, together with corporate volunteers, and provide instruction and mentorship for hundreds of middle school-age beginners and experienced coders alike. This high-impact initiative inspires a diverse talent pipeline for remarkable partners, like Bayer Fund.

Workshops will take place virtually, in classrooms, at the JA Education Center, and other hosts, driving student interest in STEM careers across New Jersey.

“Throughout the years, the grants given through Bayer Fund have helped strengthen our communities across the United States,” Al Mitchell, president of Bayer Fund, said.