Alcoa Foundation Supports Pittsburgh Education Programs, Contributing to Local STEM/STEAM Learning

We are thrilled to announce that the Alcoa Foundation has awarded a vital grant to the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, supporting the early stages of our new “Science Champions” initiative — developed in collaboration with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. This forward-thinking program enables us to use the excitement of hockey as a gateway to core science concepts, bringing STEM/STEAM learning into 2^nd and 3^rd grade classrooms across Western Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia. This grant supports 40 educators and their students in 36 schools, aligning with Pennsylvania’s new STEELS science standards and West Virginia’s Career and College Readiness.

At the heart of the Science Champions program is our belief that every young person can see themselves as a scientist—whether in a rink or the lab. By tapping into the energy and team-spirit of hockey, we’re creating an engaging and accessible platform for hands-on exploration of life sciences, engineering, technology, and the natural sciences. The Alcoa Foundation’s investment empowers us to design and test classroom kits and curricula that are specifically tailored to teachers’ needs, giving them practical tools to deliver meaningful STEM/STEAM experiences.

Together, we are strengthening the educational pipeline in communities that deserve access to high-quality STEM/STEAM resources, creating pathways to opportunity that reflect the very essence of our team and community.

With gratitude to Alcoa and all our partners, the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation looks forward to bringing Science Champions to life this school year—with the puck dropping on a new era of inspired learning.

Read the press release HERE: Alcoa | Alcoa Foundation Supports Pittsburgh Education Programs, Contributing to Local STEM/STEAM Learning