Innovating Education: Integrating Jazz with STEM in Partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks, COSI, and the PAST Foundation
(PRUnderground) May 30th, 2024
A Tribe for Jazz proudly announces receipt of a Battelle Central Ohio STEM Grant, awarded for their innovative Jazz Lab™ mobile pilot initiative. As a leading nonprofit philanthropic organization, Battelle dedicates a significant portion of its resources to STEM initiatives, aiming to equip students with the necessary skills to become future leaders and innovators.
“These creative and impactful projects will expand access to STEM education across Central Ohio,” said Wes Hall, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Education at Battelle. “The 2024 programs integrate diverse fields like music, agriculture, and environmental science. Through this investment, Battelle aims to spark curiosity and inspire thousands of young minds in our communities.”
About Jazz Lab™ Mobile Pilot
Jazz Lab™ mobile pilot is an innovative after-school program designed for ages 9-14 that combines the improvisational essence of jazz with the analytical rigor of STEM, enhancing STEM education through dynamic, multidisciplinary, and multi-sensory activities. The pilot’s goal is to engage students from marginalized communities with enriching out-of-school learning experiences that foster discovery and innovation. Each week, the Jazz Lab™ mobile pilot unit visits schools, allowing students to immerse themselves in live music and engage in hands-on exploration around The Science of Sound. This dynamic fusion aims to increase cultural awareness and deepen understanding of STEM concepts through cross-disciplinary connections.
Leading the Way to Innovation
"The Jazz Lab™ mobile unit is one aspect of the broader Jazz Lab™ universe we’re developing, which will encompass products, workshops, performances, and immersive experiences for all ages,” says Stephanie Matthews, Executive Director of A Tribe for Jazz. “We believe the Jazz Lab™ mobile pilot represents a bold leap forward in educational innovation, showcasing the incredible impact jazz can have on STEM, and we’re excited to see the outcomes.”
Distinguished Partners
Jazz Lab™ mobile pilot is excited to partner with esteemed organizations to bring jazz and STEM education to Central Ohio students. Their support fosters creativity, cultural awareness, and scientific exploration, driving the success of our after-school program.
The City of Columbus Recreation and Parks
“Columbus Recreation and Parks is thrilled to continue our partnership with A Tribe for Jazz, bringing vital programming centered on mental health and STEAM education to our Center Without Walls after-school participants,” says Bernita Reese, Director of Columbus Recreation and Parks. “With the generous support from Battelle, we will be able to provide our youth with invaluable resources and opportunities beneficial to their growth and well-being.”
Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
Frederic “Dr. B.” Bertley, President and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), says, “The Jazz Lab™ mobile pilot represents an innovative approach by coupling the improvisational aspects of jazz with the energy of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) to engage new audiences. By leveraging the immersive capabilities of VR, A Tribe for Jazz has the potential to revolutionize how people experience and appreciate this timeless art form.” Senior Director of the COSI Center for Research and Evaluation (CRE) department, Joe Heimlich, adds, “The fusion of music and sciences in education is a powerful catalyst for engaging young minds and fostering creativity and critical thinking skills. We are particularly excited about the opportunity to collaborate.”
PAST Foundation
Annalies Corbin, Founder, President, and CEO of PAST Foundation, says, ”We commend A Tribe for Jazz’s commitment to delivering innovative Jazz-inspired STEM programming to elementary and middle school youth in underserved communities. Their efforts align closely with our own mission to engage and inspire learners through hands-on, experiential education. We are particularly excited about the Portable Innovation Labs (PILs) that will be an integral part of the Jazz Lab™ mobile pilot. These kits will bring cutting-edge STEM tools and resources directly to communities with limited access to such educational opportunities.”
Advancing Education Through Jazz Lab™ Mobile Pilot: A Call to Collaboration
A Tribe for Jazz is committed to sharing its research findings to inform educational practices. Data gleaned from the Jazz Lab™ mobile pilot will significantly impact pedagogical advancements. We invite foundations, corporate leaders, esteemed universities, and STEM-related departments to join us in this innovative journey.
For more information about A Tribe for Jazz and our programs, please visit www.atribeforjazz.org or contact Stephanie Matthews, Executive Director, at SMatthews@atribeforjazz.org and (917) 858-9453.
About Battelle
Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.
About A Tribe for Jazz
The mission of A Tribe for Jazz is to preserve the legacy and advance the future of jazz through visual storytelling, live and virtual performances, education, and community engagement. A Tribe for Jazz positions jazz artists to break through to a wider audience by harnessing the power and universal human appeal of their own stories that elevate and transform the encounter between artist and listener. Such is the holistic, interdisciplinary magic that A Tribe for Jazz brings about with its creative and technical teams. The goal is to tell these artists’ stories in a way that reflects their excellence and authentic humanity, and to explore how their lives and creative processes are shaped by relationships. For more information, visit www.atribeforjazz.org. IG: @atribeforjazz_ and FB: A Tribe for Jazz.
The post A Tribe for Jazz Awarded Battelle Central Ohio STEM Grant for Groundbreaking Jazz Lab Mobile Pilot first appeared on
Original Press Release.
