The STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Committee at Navy League headquarters has annually evaluated applications and made grants to winning qualified youth groups to support STEM-related educational projects. The STEM Committee has called upon local Navy League councils to provide matching funds for any STEM grant being considered by the national STEM Committee.
In response to this challenge, and in a move to further support the council’s adopted unit, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Band of the West Division (BOTW), the Marin County Council Board of Di-rectors passed a resolution committing to match fund up to $2,000 in future STEM grants to the BOTW. The resolution, which will remain in effect through the end of 2021, was transmitted to the STEM Committee in August. The national STEM Committee has awarded a STEM grant to BOTW in the amount of $1,000 — the largest grant amount currently allowed, subject to the future availability of national grant funds.
The grant funds, when awarded, are to be used for the purchase of high-technology sound equipment to facilitate the musical mission of BOTW, which is the only musical Sea Cadet unit in the nation. Council members are invited to contribute toward the needs of this uniquely talented Sea Cadet division that has been a proud adoptee of the Marin County Council since 2015.