October 23, 2017
We can’t lie – investing in innovative education that will inspire students to think and act like entrepreneurs is one of our favorite things! This year’s Innovation Station Fund, made possible by the generosity of Otter Products employees, once again helped us realize that the investments we’re making in education and our communities truly matter and are making a difference.
One question we get a lot is, “Why Innovation Stations?” If our mission is about inspiring and educating kids to become entrepreneurs and philanthropists, why are we focusing on Innovation Stations?
Our Innovation Station Fund was born out of our commitment to create lasting and impactful change in our communities. Creating change requires a different approach to solving problems. One thing we teach students through our philanthropy education curriculum, Project Heart, is to identify a need in your community, and then use your time, talent or treasure to address that need. So, just like a future philanthropists, we followed our philanthropic teachings and looked for needs in our communities. After some research, digging and asking teachers and educators, “what do you need?”, we learned that there was a need for innovative and hands-on educational tools for students in our communities.
We’re also a big support of innovation. In fact, one thing that Otter Products was built on was innovation. The act of finding new and different ways to solve problems or create solutions is something Otter has done since its founding! Because of our passion and dedication to innovation, we’re uniquely positioned to help foster innovative education in our communities. That is why, through our G3 Challenge, employees focus their philanthropic giving to help fund Innovation Stations for schools and nonprofits.
Innovation and entrepreneurship are closely related. In fact, it is through a student’s experience using innovative education tools that an entrepreneurial spirit is nurtured. Why? Innovation Stations teach students not just to build, design and create; students learn how to fail, to apply critical thinking skills to solve problems and to persevere through challenges and setbacks. Sounds a lot like an entrepreneur, right? Students who are exposed to innovative education are also encouraged to design and create! Maybe they design a solution to a world problem; or the create a product that they could someday bring to market.
Why do we invest in Innovation Stations? Because we know that Innovation Stations help foster and nurture entrepreneurial thinking in students.
And we have some incredible partners that have joined our movement to inspire students to change the world through entrepreneurship and philanthropy!
This year, we have 45 Innovation Station Fund applications from amazing schools and nonprofits in Northern Colorado and San Diego. Each application detailed their vision for creating their own Innovation Station, where students would design, explore and create! Our grant review committee had the privilege of reviewing each application and selected 15 schools to receive grants from this year’s Innovation Station Fund!
Congratulations to the following schools:
- Thrive Public Schools in San Diego
- West Hills High School in San Diego
- Centennial Elementary School in Firestone, Colo.
- Imagine Charter School in Firestone, Colo.
- Franklin Middle School in Greeley, Colo.
- S. Christa McAuliffe STEM Academy in Greeley, Colo.
- New Vision Charter School in Loveland, Colo.
- Big Thompson Elementary School of Nature & STEM in Loveland, Colo.
- Eyestone Elementary School in Wellington, Colo.
- PSD Global Academy in Fort Collins, Colo.
- Saint Joseph Catholic School in Fort Co llins, Colo.
- Stove Prairie Elementary in Bellvue, Colo.
- Truscott Elementary School in Loveland, Colo.
- Weld County School District RE-2 Eaton School District in Eaton, Colo.
- Rice Elementary in Wellington, Colo.
We are so excited to watch these Innovation Station grow! Check out more pictures of this year’s Innovation Station Fund recipients and congratulation them on their commitment to inspiring kids to change the world!
We can't lie - investing in innovative education that will inspire students to think and act like entrepreneurs is one of our favorite things! This year's Innovation Station Fund, made possible by the generosity of Otter Products employees, once again helped us realize that the investments we're making in education and our communities truly matter and are making a difference.
One question we get a lot is, "Why Innovation Stations?" If our mission is about inspiring and educating kids to become entrepreneurs and philanthropists, why are we focusing on Innovation Stations?
Our Innovation Station Fund was born out of our commitment to create lasting and impactful change in our communities. Creating change requires a different approach to solving problems. One thing we teach students through our philanthropy education curriculum, Project Heart, is to identify a need in your community, and then use your time, talent or treasure to address that need. So, just like a future philanthropists, we followed our philanthropic teachings and looked for needs in our communities. After some research, digging and asking teachers and educators, "what do you need?", we learned that there was a need for innovative and hands-on educational tools for students in our communities.
We're also a big support of innovation. In fact, one thing that Otter Products was built on was innovation. The act of finding new and different ways to solve problems or create solutions is something Otter has done since its founding! Because of our passion and dedication to innovation, we're uniquely positioned to help foster innovative education in our communities. That is why, through our G3 Challenge, employees focus their philanthropic giving to help fund Innovation Stations for schools and nonprofits.
Innovation and entrepreneurship are closely related. In fact, it is through a student's experience using innovative education tools that an entrepreneurial spirit is nurtured. Why? Innovation Stations teach students not just to build, design and create; students learn how to fail, to apply critical thinking skills to solve problems and to persevere through challenges and setbacks. Sounds a lot like an entrepreneur, right? Students who are exposed to innovative education are also encouraged to design and create! Maybe they design a solution to a world problem; or the create a product that they could someday bring to market.
Why do we invest in Innovation Stations? Because we know that Innovation Stations help foster and nurture entrepreneurial thinking in students.
And we have some incredible partners that have joined our movement to inspire students to change the world through entrepreneurship and philanthropy!
This year, we have 45 Innovation Station Fund applications from amazing schools and nonprofits in Northern Colorado and San Diego. Each application detailed their vision for creating their own Innovation Station, where students would design, explore and create! Our grant review committee had the privilege of reviewing each application and selected 15 schools to receive grants from this year's Innovation Station Fund!
Congratulations to the following schools:
- Thrive Public Schools in San Diego
- West Hills High School in San Diego
- Centennial Elementary School in Firestone, Colo.
- Imagine Charter School in Firestone, Colo.
- Franklin Middle School in Greeley, Colo.
- S. Christa McAuliffe STEM Academy in Greeley, Colo.
- New Vision Charter School in Loveland, Colo.
- Big Thompson Elementary School of Nature & STEM in Loveland, Colo.
- Eyestone Elementary School in Wellington, Colo.
- PSD Global Academy in Fort Collins, Colo.
- Saint Joseph Catholic School in Fort Co llins, Colo.
- Stove Prairie Elementary in Bellvue, Colo.
- Truscott Elementary School in Loveland, Colo.
- Weld County School District RE-2 Eaton School District in Eaton, Colo.
- Rice Elementary in Wellington, Colo.
We are so excited to watch these Innovation Station grow! Check out more pictures of this year's Innovation Station Fund recipients and congratulation them on their commitment to inspiring kids to change the world!