Engage Estero Donates $2,500 to Three Oaks Elementary School to Support STEM Initiative

Three Oaks Elementary School is embarking on an exciting initiative with the creation of a dedicated STEM lab.  STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

The goal is to equip young learners with the tools, skills and inspiration to thrive in a world driven by innovation.  It will enable those entering Middle School to be more acquainted with these subjects and less daunted by the prospects of what these subjects entail.

Students who have hands-on experiences in science are 2x more likely to engage in science class. Yet only 55% of students worldwide regularly get hands-on opportunities. When Allan Bowditch, Engage Estero’s President, asked the class for a show of hands if they liked science, every hand in the class shot up immediately: Very impressive!

The lab will help demystify these subjects and encourage these elementary school children to embrace them more easily. The school needs equipment, technology, and instructional resources. This is not part of the school’s normal budget. To support this effort, Molly Roberts, the STEM teacher at Three Oaks Elementary, reached out to Engage Estero for help in supporting this program.

 Engage Estero immediately agreed to support the effort with a $2500 donation to purchase the needed equipment and instructional resources.  Ms. Roberts was very grateful for the donation.  She commented, “Your contribution will empower hundreds of students each year to dream bigger, think critically, and explore careers in science and technology.”

Engage Estero is pleased to support schools in the greater Estero area.  We view this as a positive program that supports teachers like Molly and Candace Allevato, Principal of Three Oaks Elementary School, who are working to provide students with the best possible education.  We also thank Mrs. Kelly Hill, Assistant Principal, who was present at the meeting on September 16th

 

(Pictured is Engage Estero President Allan Bowditch, who recently presented the $2500 check to STEM Teacher, Molly Roberts, and Molly’s outstanding students. Also, present was Mrs. Kelly Hill. Permission was provided for the children’s photos: Thank you to all concerned.)

 

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Written by

Mike Wasson

Mike Wasson

Deputy Communications Chair

Published September 18, 2025 by Engage Estero

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