Local employer awards Southborough’s Education Foundation with $5,000 grant

Above: Staples Foundation has awarded SEF a grant to fund a gas chromotograph machine for Algonquin’s science department. (Photo posted to Flickr by NOAA)

SEF has won a grant on behalf of Southborough schools in a competitive grant program from Staples, a local employer. The $5,000 grant funded a gas chromatograph machine to be used in Algonquin’s science classrooms.

A chromatograph  machine “enables students to determine substance composition and introduces them to higher-level separation techniques,” according to SEF.

This new device is not normally available in schools, but needed in science-based careers, will be be used in several science classes such as Biotechnology, AP Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Forensics and Organic Chemistry.

SEF said, “The enhancement to our school’s science program will better prepare Algonquin science students for college-level laboratory classes and beyond.”

Of course, this grant would not have been possible without the help of  the Staples’ 2 Million and Change program.

And it seems we have local Staples associates to thank.

According to SEF, the program allows its associates to direct funding to non-profit organizations that are focused on education or job skills. In addition:

the program encourages local community engagement by awarding larger grants to organizations where associates are highly engaged in volunteering or fundraising – up to $25,000 per organization.

In May, SEF announced the purchasing of the a gas chromatograph machine, but funds for it were coming out of SEF’s normal fundraising efforts. Now that the SEF has a primary funder they’re elated to share the news with the community.

SEF member Joe Holtschlag said he hopes “people will smile at the Staples building when they go by, knowing that [they’ve] invested in their children’s education.”

This is the third time the local chain has financially supported to SEF programs for Southborough schools.

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