This article is the second in a series on Trust grants that directly support University priorities.
Each Trust grant funds a new idea. Some of these ideas are in areas of particular importance to the President or Provost. ‘University priorities’ are not permanent but rather time-bound areas of focus where administrators put additional resources toward advancing UVA. Trust support can play a unique role in jumpstarting a project or program toward having an immediate impact.
Student success in science and mathematics courses and exposure to technology or engineering fields, collectively known as STEM, is a current University priority and one that the Trust has supported often.
The University’s STEM Initiatives are vast and when combined with individual school efforts can manifest in everything from maker spaces to calculus tutoring to biomedical research. Each element helps shape the UVA experience for all, and the advances the positive outcomes this education and research can have in a tech-driven world.
STEM is ever-changing, and fresh ideas are always being introduced to advance the field. In the last two years alone, the Trust has helped jumpstart many of these projects such as:
- A Partnership to Promote Innovation and Excellence in Lower Division Mathematics Courses ($170,000) which aims to increase students’ success in calculus classes through growth-based assessments and a summer bridge program;
- UVAi Vanguard ($112,870) which integrates Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) into academic settings including research, mentorship and teaching;
- UVA Cyber Range ($71,548.79) which provides students the opportunity to increase cybersecurity education, research and training outside of the classroom;
- Preparing Students for Careers in Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (CTAP) ($90,000) which aims to provide UVA students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the growing trustworthy AI workforce;
- Southwest Virginia Can Code Regional Student Showcase ($9,750) which brings together UVA Wise, local schools and community organizations to teach coding, web app development, problem-solving, prototyping, and entrepreneurial and communication skills to local middle- and high- school students;
- Air Force ROTC VR Simulator ($10,000) which brings increased virtual reality simulator training to Air Force ROTC students at UVA;
- Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Research and Teaching ($8,040) which offers a series of workshops to the University and local communities to illustrate the benefits and weaknesses of AI;
- Piloting an Open-source Educational Manufacturing Model ($49,900) that provides open access to high-quality, peer-reviewed educational resources while developing a CAD library;
- Printers 4 Kids ($30,000) which takes discarded electronic equipment and creates STEM kits for local Charlottesville schools, and recycles plastic waste from University labs; and
- Orgopoly: The Organic Chemistry Gameboard ($1,522) that aids students in their review and understanding of Organic Chemistry I and II.
Beyond this direct support, the Trust is committed to being part of the STEM ecosystem across Grounds, funding ideas and fostering innovation that will make UVA an event better place.