PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield and the Central Berkshire Regional School District are among 400 organizations getting $12.3 million for education and workforce development. 

 

The announced disbursement was made on Thursday in Waltham for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center's Education and Workforce Development Grant Program.  

 

A total of 68 awards will support more than 400 public schools, colleges, and non-profit organizations across Massachusetts through four tracks: Elementary and Secondary Education, Out-of-School Time (OST), Post-secondary Education and Training, and "Gamechanger" matching grants.

 

The Pittsfield Public Schools and Central Berkshire will receive $36,000 and $17,843, respectively, in Elementary and Secondary Education Grants. These are two of 23 grants totaling more than $2.4 million to support more than 170 public schools.

 

The funding will provide hands-on/applied learning for students in Grades 3-12 while supporting professional development for teachers and the purchase of life sciences equipment, materials, supplies, and technology.

 

The Berkshire Innovation Center is getting $24,000 in Out-of-School Time Grants. It is one of 21 nonprofit organizations receiving nearly $600,000 total to provide life sciences programming beyond the traditional school day.

 

Together, these investments are designed to expand access to hands-on life sciences education, OST learning opportunities, industry-aligned certificate and degree programs, and transformational workforce development initiatives that strengthen the life sciences talent pipeline and prepare learners for careers in the life sciences.