Decorah High School officially accepts a $2,000 grant on Thursday

(Photo by decorahnews.com's Paul Scott)

Iowa State Senator Michael Breitbach and Elise Wingate with the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America joined Superintendent Mark Lane and Principal Kim Sheppard at Decorah High School Thursday afternoon for an official presentation of a $2,000 STEM grant.

The grant will support the school's science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs, including PLTW Pre-Engineering classes, PLTW Computer Science class with option for AP credit, PLTW Bio Medical class, Robotics Teams and STEM Internships.

"I'm pleased to be here with the students of Decorah High School and Principal Sheppard to announce they are one of only four schools across Iowa receiving the PhRMA STEM Talent Pipeline grant for 2019," stated State Senator Michael Breitbach.

Said PhRMA's Nick McGee, "The faculty at Decorah High School have done a fantastic job providing diverse educational experiences for their students. The STEM programs offered here provides students a unique opportunity to apply the academics of math and science to a sophisticated computer driven field preparing students for careers in multiple fields including the biopharmaceutical industry."

"We have been fortunate to have strong community support for our STEM classes and initiatives and for this we are very grateful," stated Decorah HS principal Kim Sheppard. "Because of this support, our students have gained important skills that will prepare them for life beyond high school, whether it be an apprenticeship, on- the job training, or post-secondary course work at a community college or university."