NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ASHBURN, VA (August 8, 2025) — JASON Learning is proud to announce the continued investment from The Ball Foundation to expand access to its cutting-edge STEM education programs, with a strategic focus on advanced manufacturing and recycling—two vital industries driving sustainability and innovation nationwide.
This renewed investment from the Ball Foundation will allow JASON to scale high-impact programming that prepares students for real-world careers in recycling, circular economy, and manufacturing technologies. By partnering with school districts and local educators, JASON will equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in these essential fields.
“The Ball Foundation is committed to supporting the global communities where we live and work by investing in educational initiatives driving STEM education. Our education partners drive opportunity, support access and foster interest in recycling and advanced manufacturing. We are excited to continue working with JASON Learning.”
—Jessica Leary, Executive Director, The Ball Foundation
The grant builds on a successful first year of collaboration. During the 2024–2025 school year, JASON Learning was integrated into Mansfield ISD, Humble ISD, Dayton ISD, and Texas City ISD, reaching over 98,000 students and 6,600 educators. With Ball’s continued support, JASON will deepen its reach in Texas and expand to new communities nationwide, with a projected total impact of over 266,000 students and 18,000 educators in the 2025–2026 school year.
At the heart of this expansion is JASON’s recycling and advanced manufacturing curriculum, which features industry-specific case studies, project-based learning, diverse role model videos, and hands-on activities that highlight real careers, real data, and real impact. Educators receive robust, tailored professional development to help bring this content to life in the classroom and spark student interest in sustainable, high-tech fields.
“Ball’s support is accelerating our ability to connect students with the real-world relevance of recycling and advanced manufacturing. These are real pathways to well-paying, meaningful careers.”
—Dr. Eleanor Smalley, President and CEO of JASON Learning
This August, two in-person professional development sessions will kick off the new school year with educators from across Ball-supported districts. These workshops will focus on introducing the districts to JASON Learning and integrating JASON’s recycling and manufacturing content into core instruction.
The Ball Foundation’s partnership with JASON exemplifies how corporate philanthropy can drive local workforce readiness and inspire a new generation to take part in building a sustainable future.
###
About JASON Learning
JASON Learning is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit transforming science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education through real-world STEM curricula, project-based learning experiences for PreK-12 students, and high-quality professional development for teachers. JASON’s mission is to “inspire and educate students everywhere through real science and exploration.” To learn more about JASON, visit https://jason.org/.
JASON Media Contact: Jenna Davis, jdavis@jason.org.
About The Ball Foundation
Since 2011, The Ball Foundation, the philanthropic extension of Ball Corporation, has amplified Ball’s organizational values through community partnerships. Today, The Ball Foundation supports over 15 community organizations dedicated to recycling education and infrastructure; science, technology, engineering and mathematics in manufacturing; and disaster relief and preparedness. In partnership with our communities, The Ball Foundation is creating a world free from waste – one action at a time. For more information, visit The Ball Foundation – Ball.
