Pine River Area Schools has been named one of 12 winners of the 2026 Education Excellence Award, receiving a $2,500 grant for its “Steaming Ahead with the K-5 STEAM Education Program."

Each year, the SET SEG Foundation hosts the Education Excellence Awards in partnership with the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), granting funds to public school programs that change lives and impact students’ futures. In addition to the grant, award recipients receive an “Education Excellence Winner” road sign and commemorative trophy to proudly display their accomplishment in the community. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the foundation was able to increase giving to provide 12 awards in 2026, up from 10 in previous years.

The STEAM Education Program is rooted in the belief that creativity, curiosity and problem-solving are essential skills for all learners. Each student who goes through the program participates in a tiered system that allows students to progress and tackle increasingly complex challenges, starting with basic experimentation and exposure to full hands-on learning with circuits, coding and engineering design.

“Creative thinking in science and math helps students build lifelong skills that extend beyond the classroom,” said Molly Mellema, executive director of the SET SEG Foundation. “We’re proud to help support the K-5 STEAM Education Program as it continues to gain momentum year after year, creating a positive impact on every elementary student at Pine River.”

This cross-curricular approach allows students to develop skills that impact their literacy, math and scientific reasoning, but also their empathy, imagination, resilience and team-building.

The SET SEG Foundation is the philanthropic arm of SET SEG, a risk management organization serving Michigan public schools. The foundation is fueled by its mission to enable students to pursue enrichment opportunities that advance learning, leadership and civic responsibility by providing services, scholarships and grants directly to Michigan public schools and their students.

For more information about the SET SEG Foundation, visit setseg.org/foundation.

_{Release courtesy of Pine River Area Public Schools.}