Amazon employee Allison Bruce, left, demonstrates new technology to Hardy Elementary students De’Mya Tarvin, middle, and Ashton Collins
photo by Dan Henry
Amazon employees, Hamilton County education representatives and Hardy Elementary students gather for a photo
photo by Dan Henry
Hardy Elementary 2nd grader Ja’Miyah Gilbert reacts as the curtain is opened during a surprise back-to-school donation of $10,000 of STEM supplies presented by Amazon Chattanooga
photo by Dan Henry
Amazon donated $10,000 in STEM-themed school supplies to Hardy Elementary School on Wednesday to kick off the school year and provide the tools and resources needed to build, imagine and innovate.
Amazon’s Director of Operations Travis Maynard, announced the surprise donation to 400+ students at the school’s first all-grade assembly of the year.
“We want to make sure the teachers have the tools and resources they need to inspire students to learn, innovate and imagine to their fullest potential,” Mr. Maynard said, prior to curtains opening to reveal the supplies and Amazon volunteers. “With that, I am proud to share that we have a special delivery for you. Amazon is fulfilling $10,000 in STEM school supplies and essentials to help the students and teachers at Hardy Elementary kick off a successful new school year!”
The supplies included a 3-D printer, microscopes, robots, planting kits, Makey Makey Stem Packs, a chicken egg incubator, a skeleton, and more. Dr. Bryan Johnson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, and Robin Bambrey, Principal of Hardy Elementary School, also addressed the assembly.
“Now you will have the wonderful materials to be real-life scientists!” she celebrated with the cheering crowd of students.
After the assembly, volunteers from Amazon’s Chattanooga fulfillment center visited the school’s new STEAM lab to participate in a hands-on project with second-grade students.