Griffiss Institute (GI) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural PASSPORT after-school STEM program, made possible through a $100,000 gift from the Griffin Charitable Foundation. This new initiative invites students from the Rome City School District and nearby eligible schools within the Foundation’s service area to explore hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning experiences in their own community.
Developed by Griffiss Institute’s STEM and Education team, PASSPORT expands access to high-quality, after-school programming for local youth, particularly those eager to explore how classroom concepts connect to real-world innovation. The program’s interactive sessions, held at the Innovare Advancement Center, introduce students to robotics, physics, flight, coding, and engineering design through mentorship from scientists, engineers, and educators who work at the forefront of national innovation.
“Our goal is to help families and young people recognize that science and technology are already here in their backyard,” said Melissa Tallman, Chief Brand Officer at Griffiss Institute. “This partnership with the Griffin Charitable Foundation allows us to bring STEM to life for students in our region, creating additional opportunities that spark curiosity, build confidence, and strengthen their connection to future educational and career pathways.”
The PASSPORT program represents Griffiss Institute’s continued commitment to serving the local community beyond traditional government funding models, providing inclusive opportunities for learning and discovery that align with its national mission of cultivating the next generation of scientists and engineers.
“At Griffiss Institute, we believe the next great innovator could be sitting in one of our local classrooms,” said Heather Hage, President and CEO of Griffiss Institute. “When students see themselves in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics early on, they begin to understand how what they learn in school connects to the world around them. Thanks to the Griffin Charitable Foundation’s generous support, PASSPORT gives young learners the chance to explore, imagine, and lead, igniting curiosity and shaping the next generation of American innovators right here in the Mohawk Valley.”
“The Griffin Charitable Foundation is proud to support Griffiss Institute’s efforts to bring high-quality, experiential STEM education to local students. Programs like PASSPORT are critical because they meet kids where they are, early in their learning journeys, while showing them what they learn matters,” said Daniel Burgdorf, President of the Griffin Charitable Foundation. “By engaging students in applied STEM activities in real-world settings, we’re helping them see their potential and imagine their future.”
PASSPORT will initially serve students from grades 3–6 with plans to expand to additional grade levels and partner schools in future sessions. The program adds to Griffiss Institute’s expanding portfolio of youth engagement initiatives designed to inspire, prepare, and retain local talent while strengthening the region’s connection to innovation and national security missions.
To learn more about the PASSPORT program or partnership opportunities, visit https://www.griffissinstitute.org/passport/
