August 03, 2026
Key facts
- Grant amount: $40,000 from Bayer Fund
- Grant recipient: City Academy
- Program supported: City Academy’s STEAM program
- Community served: Students from across the St. Louis region
- Funding purpose: Support hands-on instruction, educator development, classroom resources and experiential learning
- Projected impact: Strengthen integrated STEAM learning for City Academy students in pre-school through sixth grade
City Academy announced today that it received a $40,000 grant from Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S., to strengthen hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education for students.
The funding will support classroom instruction, teacher professional development, equipment, supplies and experiential learning opportunities. These resources will help City Academy students connect classroom concepts to real-world challenges while exploring the wide range of careers available in STEAM fields.
“At City Academy, STEAM education encourages students to ask questions, test ideas and see themselves as capable problem-solvers,” said Erik Taylor, City Academy’s STEAM Program Administrator and 5th and 6th Grade Science Teacher. “Bayer Fund’s continued support helps us provide meaningful experiences that build curiosity, confidence and critical-thinking skills. Those experiences can shape how students view their own potential and the opportunities available to them.”
STEAM learning is integrated throughout City Academy’s curriculum rather than limited to a single class or project. Students apply skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, critical thinking and hypothesis formation across academic subjects. Hands-on projects and field experiences also help students understand how their learning connects to their communities and potential careers.
Bayer Fund has supported City Academy since the school established its STEAM program in 2008, and was the recipient of City Academy’s 2025 Bold Expectations Award. Over the years, its funding has helped provide equipment and classroom supplies, strengthen teacher retention and professional development, and make field trips and other experiential learning opportunities possible.
Bayer employees have also helped bring science directly to City Academy students and families. During this past year’s STEAM Family Night, students created chromatography flowers using colorful dyes while learning how paper chromatography separates mixtures and how capillary action moves liquid through paper — one example of how the partnership makes scientific concepts engaging and accessible for young learners.
“This grant is part of Bayer Fund’s continued support for programs that strengthen communities across the United States,” said Amy Simpson, director of philanthropy and community impact of Bayer Fund. “We are proud to support City Academy and its work to help St. Louis students develop the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to pursue future opportunities.”
In 2025, Bayer Fund awarded more than $3.4 million in grants to 100 organizations, including $2.6 million in support for impactful Food & Nutrition and Health & Wellness programs in communities where Bayer employees live and work. Through these efforts, Bayer Fund supports local programs that address major national challenges aligned with Bayer’s mission Health for all, Hunger for none.
For more information about City Academy, visit www.cityacademystl.org.
About City Academy: Founded in 1999, City Academy is an independent school in North St. Louis providing an exceptional education to students from age 3 through sixth grade, regardless of family income or ZIP code. Through bold expectations, individualized support and meaningful community partnerships, City Academy prepares students to succeed in secondary school, college and beyond. Learn more at www.cityacademystl.org.
About Bayer Fund: Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where Bayer customers and employees live and work by providing funding for food and nutrition, education, and health and wellness projects. For more information visit https://www.fund.bayer.us.