January 28, 2025

For Immediate Release 

The Watertown Community Foundation Awards $37,950 to Watertown Public Schools to Enhance Curriculum Beyond the Classroom

More Than 1300 Watertown Elementary School Students to Benefit from STEM Initiatives

Watertown, MA  January 28, 2025 – During its annual school program grant cycle, The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) awarded $37,950 to the Watertown Public Schools to support education programs that enhance learning beyond the classroom. Grants will support programs in every school in the district in multiple disciplines, ultimately serving the district’s more than 2,800 students.

For the fourth year, the award includes support for STEM Initiatives in Watertown Public Schools and gives elementary students the opportunity to participate in hands-on, science-based learning that goes beyond the classroom experience and the general curriculum. Through the support of the Watertown Community Foundation, along with biotechnology company Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc., more than 1300 students will be able to participate in several STEM initiatives including: Kindergarten: The Discover Museum; Grade 1: Bugman Entomology; Grade 2: Mystic Aquarium; Grade 3: Rainforest Reptiles; Grade 4: Sustainability Hands-On Workshop; and Grade 5: Water Systems Hands-On Workshop.

“Teachers across the district look to the Watertown Community Foundation to support creative programs that extend the classroom curriculum in multiple subjects. These programs spark interest in reading to increase literacy, bring students and families together across cultures to build community belonging, inspire creativity and expression through theater and the arts, or enable kids with different learning needs to have access to alternative programs that help them grow and learn,” said Dede Galdston, Superintendent, Watertown Public Schools. 

“Enanta Pharmaceuticals is proud to have been a founding sponsor of the STEM Initiatives Program which gives every elementary school student in Watertown the chance to learn about science and technology in an exciting and interactive way. We are excited to partner with the Watertown Community Foundation to provide funding for STEM Initiatives as we usher in the next generation of scientists,” said Jay R. Luly, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Enanta Pharmaceuticals.

“Giving kids the chance to experiment and discover is how we inspire the next generation of scientists,” said Elizabeth Kaplan, K-8 Math and Science Coordinator for the Watertown Public Schools. “Our activities are geared to get our students excited about science and technology through hands-on learning. By seeing live animals up close and experimenting with forces, motion, even rocket engineering and solar wind turbine design, our children learn about science and problem solving by doing. How cool Is that?”

“The Watertown Community Foundation has supported programs to enhance the learning in Watertown’s public classrooms for well over a decade.  With partners such as Enanta Pharmaceuticals, we have been able to add in support for STEM Initiatives. We are grateful to the incredible work and creativity of our teachers as they find new and relevant ways to engage and inspire youth in all our schools,” said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, Watertown Community Foundation Board Co-President and School Grant co-chair. 

About Watertown Community Foundation 

Through the power of transformative giving, the Watertown Community Foundation advances and supports positive change for the people who live and work in Watertown, Massachusetts. We envision a welcoming community where people of all backgrounds can thrive, connect, and contribute to the strength and resilience of our city.  Started with funds from the sale of the Arsenal property in 2003 and grown by local giving and grants, the Foundation has awarded more than $3,000,000 in grants to end food insecurity, keep people housed, educate kids, lift-up the arts, sustain the environment, and break down barriers to bring people together.  See our list of grantees here.

WCF Board of Directors: Lauren Coughlin Unsworth and Mary Ann Mulligan, Co-Presidents; Albrik Avanessian; Emily Barclay; Ninos Hanna; Eileen Hsü-Balzer; Nathalie Highland; Heather Leary; Kathryn Madden; Jennifer Nicholson, Anthony Paolillo; Leah Pennino; Lora Sabin; Robert Shay; David Siegel; and Felicia Sullivan.

Media Contact: Tia Tilson                     
Watertown Community Foundation                                                                                                      
tia.tilson@watertownfoundation.org