AST Assists Tehachapi Schools with Equipment and Supplies

The Arts, Science & Technology Educational Corporation of Tehachapi (AST) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in Tehachapi in 2009 to support local educators in the areas of Arts, Science and Technology. Its mission is to enable educators to enhance the classroom experience, supplement the core curriculum, and foster a creative atmosphere during the teaching/learning process.

AST supports a wide variety of curriculum enhancement, events and needs in all schools in the Tehachapi Valley, including several robotics clubs, the annual Intermediate Space Challenge rocket launch competition for 4-5th graders, and the Tehachapi High School Engineering and Manufacturing Academy. Establishing pre-engineering classes at Jacobsen Middle School and Tehachapi High School, supporting woodworking and art classes by buying supplies. Sponsoring an annual Fall Festival so that teachers and parent support organizations can have booths/activities to raise money to cover budget deficits, and most recently working to assemble the resources to start a STEM center in Tehachapi.

Recently AST responded to two requests for assistance from teachers in the Tehachapi Unified School District. The first request came from Annette Kirby, an aide to Mr. Grimes for a special needs class at Tompkins Elementary School. Mr. Grimes' class needed art equipment and supplies so that his students could do hands-on activities and express themselves artistically. AST bought easels, markers, activity books, paints, and paper. The gifts were happily received by both the teachers and the students, as can be seen in the above photograph.

In another donation action, the AST received a request from Danielle Evansic, a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) teacher at Tehachapi High School, on behalf of one of her fellow PLTW teachers, Lisa Archie: Ms. Archie's Biotechnology Engineering class urgently needed supplies to be able to continue her curriculum without interruption. AST used funds contributed by Kern Schools Federal Credit Union and Rio Tinto Mining to order the equipment and supplies and quickly get them in Ms. Archie's hands.

The two donation actions described above raise the amount of funds and in-kind donations that AST has helped raise over the past five years to over $285,000, thanks to the generosity of local and regional businesses and industries, Tehachapi citizens, and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Another AST initiative upcoming is their annual Fall Festival, held to help teachers, classes, clubs, and other school organizations from any school in the Tehachapi Valley to raise money for their needs. The event will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 in the north parking lot area of Monroe High School, 126 S Snyder Ave, in Tehachapi.

There is no entry fee for having a money-raising booth, activity, merchandise sale, etc., and 100% of the profits go to the participating organization. AST still has room for additional organizations to join in; call Laura Lundberg at (661) 433-2673, Joel Beckmann at (661) 974-2673 or Cindy Isbell at (661) 557-0555 for information, or even for ideas for a booth or activity.

The AST is continuing with other fund-raising initiatives to raise money to help provide supplies and equipment for Tehachapi schools. If foundations, businesses, or individuals would like to help, you can donate directly by sending your check to "Arts, Science & Technology Educational Corporation of Tehachapi," 18820 St. Andrews Drive, Tehachapi, CA 93561, and writing "Help our students" in the memo section of your check. AST is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your gifts will likely be tax-deductible. You should check with your tax professional to be certain.

Community members interested in becoming a volunteer for the AST's many activities should contact AST by contacting Joel Beckmann via e-mail: [email protected]; or calling him at (661) 974-2673, or contacting Laura Lundberg or Cindy Isbell at their cell phone numbers given above.

You can also check out our website at astedcorp.org.