Doylestown residents Paul and Aarati Martino today announced a personal donation to the Bucks County Foundation of $100,000 earmarked to support the Bucks IU Fab Lab Center.
The Bucks IU Fab Lab focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) education programs for students throughout Bucks County and surrounding areas.
The Fab Lab is home to digital fabrication and computer science equipment, paired with age-appropriate curricula that engages and educates youth of all ages. In 2023 alone, the Fab Lab reached more than 3,000 children, ranging in age from Pre-K through 12th grade, with programs built to engage today’s students on STEAM topics including computer science, engineering, and digital fabrication.
“We are grateful for this contribution from the Martinos and are excited to see Bucks County residents committed to the growth and expansion of STEAM education in the county,” said Bucks IU Executive Director Dr. Mark Hoffman.
Added Dr. Lindsey Rutherford Sides, Bucks IU’s supervisor of STEAM Education added, “Our focus on growing STEAM education for students in Bucks County also includes acting as a resource for STEAM educators, and we’ll now be able to increase our capacity in reaching both these targets.”
The Fab Lab’s programming includes after-school clubs, summer camps, “STEAM Saturday” events, school field trips, and specialty program for days when students are off from school. Professional development programs are also provided related to STEAM topics and resources, as well as teaching techniques for educators and administrators.
Over the next 10 years, over 71% of all jobs will require computer science skills with STEAM, health, and business majors generally earning the highest salaries. Additionally, research shows that STEAM instruction offers benefits in a student’s post-secondary career, even if that student does not pursue a STEAM career.
Area native Paul Martino has been involved in the technology and education fields for years as the Managing Partner of Bullpen Capital, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology companies, including PAPER, North America’s largest digital tutoring network. Paul is also the chair of the Delaware Valley Science Fair, of which he is a student alum.
Aarati Martino, who holds master’s degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in computer science and engineering and a Ph.D. from Stanford University, has spent over 20 years as a Google engineer. She has taught an enrichment program in the Central Bucks School District called “Google Magic” for several years. As a Republican candidate for Central Bucks School Board, she was defeated in the General Election last November.
“I’ve been following the Fab Lab since before COVID and have always appreciated its focus on STEAM education for students in Bucks County,” said Aarati Martino. “I saw the amazing facilities in-person this summer and am thrilled that K-12 students have access to an impressive array of laser cutters, 3D printers, floor-to-ceiling sized hydroponic gardens, and many flavors of robots. I’m excited to help them bring their vision to even more students.”
Pennsylvania is strongly promoting STEAM education and has enacted several programs to increase STEAM engagement. With this $100,000 contribution the Fab Lab will be able to expand its services to a significantly larger number of students annually. Paul Martino envisions a world where the Fab Lab can serve tens of thousands through additional donations and contributions from local businesses that need STEAM graduates in their workforce.
“The Fab Lab is exciting to me because it started as a mobile van going to schools to teach kids about concepts using 3D printing and NextGen manufacturing,” said Paul. “But they continue to think bigger. They’ve added a brick-and-mortar location, an additional van, and are reaching more students with significant programming. I foresee the Fab Lab even scaling up to multiple regions across the state. I want to applaud the Bucks IU for having such a forward-looking and entrepreneurial vision with this program and the courage to bring it to life.”
STEAM education is an essential component of a 21st Century education and preparing youth to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions. To learn more about the Bucks County Fab Lab, visit https://www.BucksIU.org/FabLab or call 215-340-4575.
Bucks County Foundation is a charitable trust created to serve Bucks County. To learn more, visit www.buckscountyfoundation.org.
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