SciTech Awarded Microsoft Community Empowerment Grant to Provide STEM Programming at Plano Community Library District

Batavia & Plano, IL – August 11, 2025 — SciTech is proud to announce it has been awarded the Microsoft Community Empowerment Grant through the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. This generous grant will fund a new partnership with Plano Community Library District, bringing monthly STEMshops to children in Plano and the surrounding area.

These hands-on STEM workshops, designed and led by SciTech’s experienced educators, will offer children the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through fun, interactive learning experiences. Each monthly session will engage young minds with age-appropriate experiments and challenges that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and curiosity.

“We are thrilled to bring SciTech’s hands-on STEM learning to the families served by the Plano Community Library,” said Mary Johnston, Director of Programs and Education at SciTech. “This grant gives us the opportunity to empower the next generation of innovators by making STEM accessible, engaging, and fun.”

The first workshop is scheduled to begin this fall, with additional details to be shared by the library in the coming weeks.

This initiative reflects a shared commitment among SciTech, the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, Microsoft, and the Plano Community Library District to invest in the future of local youth through meaningful educational opportunities.

About SciTech
SciTech is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fueling the curiosity of our youth and igniting their passion for STEM learning through mobile initiatives and community engagement. With a vision of a world where STEM education is accessible to all, SciTech designs and delivers hands-on STEM programs that inspire innovation, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. Through partnerships like this one with the Plano Community Library District, SciTech continues its work of bringing meaningful, interactive STEM experiences directly to communities.

About Plano Community Library District
Plano Community Library District serves the residents of Plano, Illinois with a wide range of educational and cultural resources for all ages. The Library is proud to collaborate with SciTech to bring high-quality STEM experiences to local families.

About the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is committed to providing effective and rewarding ways for donors to fulfill their philanthropic objectives. With a vision to be recognized as a trusted philanthropic leader in the communities it serves, the Foundation supports impactful initiatives through high-quality donor services, tailored grant and scholarship programs, and bold efforts to address community needs. The Microsoft Community Empowerment Grant is one example of how the Foundation connects generosity with opportunity to strengthen local partnerships and programs.