Thanks to a grant from the Meta Data Center in Mesa, the Rotary Club of Mesa West has embarked on a quest to make STEM-related education and projects not only more accessible to local students, but more exciting and enjoyable to experience. The club is one of 15 grantees recently selected to receive a Meta Data Center Community Action Grant. The club’s foundation received a grant of $28,700. According to Colleen Coons, president of the Rotary Club of Mesa West, the grant will be used to purchase 30 Meta Quest headsets and software to support immersive STEM experiences and learning spaces in three Mesa public libraries. “This opportunity can really change the lives of Mesa residents, and really, students throughout Maricopa County,” said Colleen. Colleen first heard of the grant opportunity while taking part in Mesa Leadership, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing, training and empowering future leaders in the Mesa community. Also enrolled in the class was Amir Hasen, a director at Meta Data Center in Mesa. Creating partnerships with the Community, Amir invited Mesa West club to apply for a grant that serves the community. The club will use the grant to provide VR/AR Meta Quest Pro headsets to the Mesa public libraries. The libraries will develop programs for the entire community to participate in multi-sensory experiences to “imagine the possibilities” of a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). “Students don’t always relate to the way STEM is taught in a school, or maybe aren’t getting all they need from a teacher,” said Colleen. The new virtual-reality headsets will allow students to literally experience a project where they can see the benefits. “Maybe then, the students might consider a STEM career,” said Colleen. Among the projects to be featured in the program is an artificial reef that was created by Rotarians in the Philippines. Using Rotary funds, a giant artificial reef in the shape of the Rotary wheel was created to restore marine life and protect the livelihood of several fishing villages. Colleen expects the first headsets to be in place and operational by summer. This initiative, said Colleen, is totally in synch with Rotary’s mission and areas. “How great that we’re able to live the Rotary vision statement, by uniting with community partners to take action to create an experience to move naturally in virtual spaces while mirroring real-world opportunities to create generational change in our community” | 
