Out of This World: A Cortez PTO Brings the Universe to Students | LOR Foundation
Complete Education

Out of This World: A Cortez PTO Brings the Universe to Students

  • Local Champion: Kemper Elementary PTO
  • Date Funded: October 7, 2022
  • Grant Amount: $9,065

A statewide focus on math and reading test scores means that at Cortez elementary schools, science class gets the short end of the proverbial stick. (Because of the emphasis on test scores, funding is directed largely to the other two subjects.) To help ensure the next generation of Galileos don’t miss out, Kemper Elementary’s PTO had an idea: What if there was a way to bring a SkyDome Astronomy Immersion program—age-appropriate astronomy lessons inside an inflatable planetarium—to four elementary schools for six full-day sessions? Fortunately, there was a way. With support from the LOR Foundation, this winter the SkyDome Astronomy program will reach more than 1,000 Cortez students.

Contact our community officer in Cortez. Meet Nicci Crowley
More Education Solutions
Education / Questa Mariachi Music Strikes a Chord in Questa
Local Champion:
Localogy
Date funded:
July 18, 2025
Grant Amount:
$23,700
Education / Libby Classroom Equipment Supports Group Learning at Libby’s New Charter School
Local Champion:
Libby K-12 Schools
Date funded:
July 14, 2025
Grant Amount:
$6,065
Education / Weiser Soccer Goals and Uniforms Support Weiser High School’s Growing Program
Local Champion:
Weiser High School Athletics
Date funded:
July 14, 2025
Grant Amount:
$6,720
Education / Libby Multi-Agency Training Strengthens Libby Search and Rescue
Local Champion:
David Thompson Search and Rescue
Date funded:
July 9, 2025
Grant Amount:
$2,000
Education / Questa Greenhouse Upgrades Boost Year-Round Food Production in Questa
Local Champion:
Localogy
Date funded:
June 20, 2025
Grant Amount:
$25,369
Education / Lander Professional Art Teacher Launches Rigorous Arts Program for Lander Homeschoolers
Local Champion:
A Lander local
Date funded:
June 17, 2025
Grant Amount:
$13,607

Share an Idea

If you have an idea for improving quality of life in Cortez or Monte Vista, Colorado; Lander, Wyoming; Libby, Montana; Questa or Taos, New Mexico; or Weiser, Idaho, use this form to start a conversation with us.

"*" indicates required fields