Starlight Studio is a program (and registered DBA) of the Groff Family Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation located in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. The Starlight Studio program aims to provide hands-on and experiential learning opportunities for K-12 and college students with a focus on science, technology, engineering, art, and technology (STEAM).

The Problem

The current state of K-12 education is marked by a diminishing focus on arts and sciences due to budget constraints and changes to curricular priorities. Meanwhile, colleges face financial and logistical barriers limiting opportunities for field-based learning and access to hands-on learning resources such as maker spaces.

Our Solution

Starlight Studio currently offers five-week workshops designed for K-5 students. These workshops are held in a local elementary school and led by licensed and experienced teachers, ensuring alignment with school curricula. The program has also provided small donations from targeted matching fundraisers and gifts to help offset the costs of field experiences for college students.

Workshops are offered by high-quality instructors who are licensed K-12 teachers or college faculty and aim to integrate programing with the public school curriculum.

Our Vision

We aim to expand workshops to include more schools, topics, and grades (K-12), enhance support for college-level field experiences (e.g., passenger vans), and establish a physical location for a STEAM classroom and maker space with tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and a kiln.

The Groff Family Foundation, Inc. was founded in 2023 by Jeff and Amanda Groff and operates as an IRS designated 501(c)(3) private foundation with a “sustainable non-profit” or “earned income” business model. This means we focus on generating revenue primarily through donations, program-related activities, and investment income, while aiming to preserve and grow organizational assets over time to ensure long-term financial stability.