Young Scientist Academy Receives $20,000 Donation from Gold Bond Building Products to Support STEM Education in Wilmington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2025
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Wilmington, NC — The Young Scientist Academy (YSA) is grateful to receive a $20,000 donation from Gold Bond Building Products in Wilmington, made possible through the generosity of plant teammates who nominated YSA as part of National Gypsum’s 2025 NGC Giving Campaign.

This significant investment will help expand access to hands-on STEM education for students in the Wilmington community, supporting YSA’s mission to empower the next generation to become ambassadors of science and technology.

"Support like this allows us to meet students where they are and invite them into meaningful scientific experiences that build confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging,” said Dr. Rob Condon, Executive Director of the Young Scientist Academy. “This gift represents more than financial support. It is a vote of confidence in the potential of Wilmington’s youth and in the role science and technology play in strengthening our local community.”

National Gypsum’s commitment to education is reflected in its continued support of organizations that prepare students for future careers and civic leadership.

“These education initiatives are essential in equipping the next generation with the technical skills and knowledge to become innovative leaders,” said Thomas C. Nelson, chairman, president, and CEO of National Gypsum Company. “By strengthening science, technology, engineering, and math education, these programs help prepare a workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. I’m grateful that National Gypsum can support the organizations in our communities whose work is vital to building a strong foundation for the future.”

Through partnerships like this, YSA is able to deliver engaging, student-centered programming that connects science learning to real-world challenges and opportunities, helping young people see themselves as problem-solvers, collaborators, and future leaders.

About the Young Scientist Academy
​The Young Scientist Academy empowers the next generation to become community ambassadors of science and technology. Serving elementary through early high school students, YSA creates opportunities for young people to explore scientific issues relevant to their own communities. By engaging students’ natural curiosity and using science and technology as tools for discovery, YSA works to break down social and economic barriers while building pathways to future leadership.
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Media Contact: Lauren Tippett ([email protected])