The recipient entity's physical address:
           3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  4985

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $10,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Cobren Greer - Board Chair
3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002
Sarah Cosse - Board Secretary and Co-Founder
3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002
Michelle Hewlett Sanchez - Board Member
3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002
Camille Bryant - Board Member
3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002
George Lunsford - Board Treasurer
3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002
J. Luis Banos Jr. - Board Member
3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002
Gabriel Virdure - Board Member
3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002
Kenyon Webber - Board Member
3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002

Executive Director - Todd Wackerman
3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002
Director of Programming - Jestin Moorehead
3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002
STEM Librarian - Szabolcs Varga
3011 N I-10 Service Rd E
Metairie LA 70002

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           STEM Library Lab’s (SLL) Equipment Lending Co-op and Communities of Practice workshops provide resources and support teachers, enhancing STEM education across New Orleans. The Co-op provides educators and schools with access to otherwise cost-prohibitive STEM equipment, enabling teachers to deliver hands-on learning experiences without budget constraints. Complementing this, the Communities of Practice workshops extend the Co-op by equipping educators with the skills to effectively use advanced STEM tools. Together, these programs address educational inequity by providing essential resources, fostering critical skill development, and empowering teachers with the tools and support needed to deliver transformative, hand-on learning experiences in classrooms.
Studies have shown that hands-on, integrated STEM instruction improves student academic performance and fosters interest in STEM careers. However, local schools lack the resources to provide teachers and students with the necessary tools and materials for effective STEM learning. Our primary purpose is to bridge this resource gap through two ongoing programs: the Equipment Lending Co-op and Communities of Practice workshops.

The Equipment Lending Co-op maintains an inventory of STEM tools and resources, which teachers can borrow free of charge. We are expanding our reach to ensure that even more classrooms have access to these tools. With funding, SLL will be able to scale our outreach efforts. Many new teachers, who make up a large portion of the workforce, are unaware of the free resources available through SLL’s Equipment Lending Co-op. This gap in outreach means that teachers, particularly in under-resourced schools, are missing opportunities to access meaningful resources. SLL needs to scale its efforts to ensure new teachers and schools are informed and supported.

For the Communities of Practice workshops, we collaborate with local experts and experienced educators to provide hands-on tutorials for teachers, focusing on specialized STEM equipment to ensure they can confidently integrate these tools into their lessons. We are in the process of gradually increasing the frequency of these workshops, expanding from a bi-monthly occurrence to a bi-weekly occurrence by Spring 2025. These weekly workshops will be tailored to the specific needs of teachers at different grade levels on a rotating basis, allowing for more targeted support. Each workshop will engage approximately 8 teachers, benefiting an average of 440 students, and by scaling the program, we expect to impact significantly more students across New Orleans classrooms over the course of the school year. The Communities of Practice series, as an extension of our Equipment Lending Co-op, is designed to build the infrastructure needed to sustain this valuable service for years to come.

In the 2025-2026 academic school year, the Equipment Lending Co-op will increase the number of teachers it supports to 360 active member teachers across 200+ schools, enabling them to borrow STEM equipment valued at $409,200. These resources will facilitate the delivery of high-quality, hands-on STEM lessons with over 100,000 student touchpoints, many of whom attend under-resourced schools. We anticipate that 20% of borrowers will utilize the Co-op at least four times throughout the school year, highlighting the consistent demand for these resources, and that 50% of borrowers will come from target demographic schools serving high-needs student populations.

The Communities of Practice workshops will offer at least 20 sessions, serving an estimated 200 educators from across Greater New Orleans. These workshops will provide professional development on implementing inquiry-driven, hands-on STEM lessons, fostering a collaborative environment for teachers to exchange ideas, share resources, and gain mentorship from peers and experts.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $96,250
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $72,000
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $20,000

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          Not Applicable

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          In the long term, the Equipment Lending Co-op and Communities of Practice workshops will have a deep impact on educational quality, teacher retention, and community empowerment:
Closing the Resource Gap: By providing equitable access to high-quality STEM tools and professional development, these programs will help narrow the achievement gap between students in high- and low-income schools, ensuring that all students have opportunities to engage with impactful STEM education.
Supporting Teacher Retention: Alleviating the financial and logistical burdens on educators will lead to greater job satisfaction, contributing to higher retention rates, particularly in under-resourced schools where turnover is highest.
Building a Culture of Innovation: Educators and students supported by these programs will develop skills and confidence that extend beyond the classroom, fostering a culture of critical thinking and problem-solving that benefits the broader community.
Sustained Program Growth: The Co-op will achieve an annual growth target of 10% in both the number of items borrowed and their total value, establishing a sustainable model. Meanwhile, The Communities of Practice workshops will expand to engage more educators annually, ensuring continued professional development opportunities.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The combined efforts of the Co-op and Communities of Practice workshops will result in meaningful improvements in teaching practices, professional collaboration, and student engagement. Anticipated outcomes include:
Increased Educator Confidence: Surveys will show that 85% of participating teachers report improved confidence and capability in delivering STEM lessons, directly contributing to higher-quality instruction.
Enhanced School-Level Value: At least 85% of administrators will recognize the Co-op as a worthwhile investment for their schools, supporting membership retention and encouraging new memberships.
Improved Student Engagement: Teachers will report higher levels of student participation and interest in STEM subjects, as reflected in anecdotal feedback and engagement data.
Professional Collaboration: By leveraging the Co-op as a shared resource, teachers will foster stronger professional networks and reduce the isolation often faced in underfunded schools.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           10 months

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                 

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
              

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
               

          What is the nature of the relationship? 

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               


Contact Information
name:  Todd Wackerman 
                                       address:  3011 N I 10 Service Road E
Metairie LA 70002
                                       phone:  6508683584
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  twackerman@STEMLibraryLab.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Officer