TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple Independent School District will launch two new STEM initiatives for the next school year after receiving a pair of community action grants worth more than $42,000 from Meta Temple Data Center.
Temple ISD’s Academics Department has been awarded an $11,000 grant to fund an AI Innovation Lab. The project is titled AI for All: Micro Lesson Lab and is designed to expand student access to high-quality, practical, and responsible artificial intelligence learning experiences. The AI Innovation Lab will be a flexible, inclusive space where middle school and high school students can participate in drop-in microlessons during lunch or after school. The lessons will focus on relevant, real-world skills like using AI to support or extend learning, strengthening college and career readiness, planning next steps toward personal goals, and developing responsible habits leading to high-quality output rather than superficial or misinformed use. The flexible sessions will also expand access by removing barriers such as transportation challenges, schedule conflicts, or the exclusivity of traditional clubs or multisession programs.
“Meta has been a tremendous partner for Temple ISD since they began building in Temple a few years ago,” said Dr. Renota Rogers, chief academic officer for Temple ISD. “I’m grateful for their continued generosity and their support of our projects. They allow us to dream big and provide our students with meaningful learning experiences. The AI Micro Learning Lab will allow students to learn more about AI than would be possible during the normal school day.”
The Temple ISD Digital Learning Department also received a $31,335 grant to purchase a mobile planetarium. The 360-degree immersive planetarium will bring high-definition space and science lessons to every campus through 3D visualizations and immersive shows. The mobile planetarium will also allow access for all K-12 students to an immersive, hands-on science laboratory by removing transportation and resource barriers. The dome will also be a central feature at 2-3 district-led STEM events each year to help foster community engagement.
“The mobile planetarium aligns with the TISD STEM K-12 Continuum of Learning,” said Ashley Jones, director of digital learning for Temple ISD. “The impact this grant will have on our programs will be to expand learning opportunities to all campuses during daily instruction and provide immersive family engagement opportunities. We can take STEM learning on the go throughout the district with the mobile planetarium. We appreciate Meta’s continued support as we expand programs in Temple ISD.”
Temple ISD also received community action grants to help fund a new Summer STEM Explorations program last year. Previous donations from Meta have helped Temple ISD reengineer its STEM programs across the district and impact students on every grade level. The expanded STEM offerings are part of a district master plan that includes a five-year schedule of initiatives incorporating all TISD campuses.