#United States #Washington #STEM Education #Reading Is Fundamental #Trane Technologies

Corporate Volunteers Bridge Reading and Environmental Change

In an inspiring initiative, employees of Trane Technologies are stepping away from their traditional workplace to engage the younger generation in reading and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities. This collaboration with Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) aims to connect literacy with real-world challenges, particularly focusing on sustainability and environmental awareness.

This partnership, which spans four years, has resulted in significant outreach, directly impacting over one million children across classrooms in the United States. Employees have taken the initiative to read stories and lead STEM-related projects, sparking curiosity among students about their role in constructing a sustainable future. As Alicia Levi, President and CEO of RIF, states, "When kids read, they don't just learn about the world. They learn how to improve it."

Three Pillars of Impact

The collaboration between RIF and Trane Technologies has made strides through three primary avenues:

1. In-Classroom Engagement

Under RIF’s Read for Success program, more than 1,800 students have benefitted from the distribution of over 10,000 books that delve into environmental issues and innovation. Educators, equipped with valuable professional development sessions from RIF’s literacy experts, are seamlessly integrating reading into STEM activities, fostering creativity and awareness regarding sustainability among students.

2. Digital Resources

RIF's Sustainable Futures Center acts as a free digital hub, expanding its offerings to include bilingual materials in Spanish and Amharic. It provides families and educators with essential tools to guide children through literature that intersects with science, engineering, and ecological stewardship. This inclusive access significantly broadens the engagement among various communities.

3. Community Involvement

Employees of Trane Technologies across the U.S. have volunteered thousands of hours engaging in various activities, which includes:

• - Assembling and distributing RIF literacy kits that emphasize STEM and sustainability themes.
• - Hosting classroom read-aloud sessions and giveaways via RIF’s Read Aloud in a Bag initiative, aimed at making reading universally accessible.
• - Virtual classroom visits where volunteers read engaging stories such as “Lucy’s Engineering Adventure,” guiding students through hands-on STEM projects and introducing them to real-world role models in engineering and innovation.

As Amy Volz, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Trane Technologies, elaborates, “When our employees volunteer with RIF, they are empowering children to navigate the world as creators, problem-solvers, and innovators.” This initiative transforms children’s curiosity into confidence, empowering them to visualize and achieve their future aspirations.

An Ongoing Commitment to Sustainability

This collaboration aligns perfectly with Trane Technologies’ Sustainable Futures strategy, a component of their broader 2030 Sustainability Commitments. The commitment focuses on uplifting communities and workforce diversity, working diligently to establish rewarding careers in STEM fields for the next generation.

RIF's Sustainable Futures Center further hosts an array of free books, lesson plans, and engaging literacy activities that connect reading to exploration, innovation, and sustainability.

About Reading Is Fundamental

Reading Is Fundamental has dedicated itself to cultivating lifelong readers by inspiring the creative joy of reading among children since 1966. It has provided millions of children with free, high-quality reading resources, positively impacting generations of young minds.

About Trane Technologies

Trane Technologies operates as a worldwide leader in climate innovation, delivering sustainable solutions through trusted brands like Trane® and Thermo King®, thus promoting an eco-friendly approach in various industries. This initiative exemplifies Trane’s commitment to making a tangible difference, as they work towards creating a brighter and more sustainable future for all.