Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Samsung Electronics America (Samsung) are teaming up again to equip the next generation of kids and teens with the tools they need for a successful future in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Students today must be prepared to join tomorrow’s workforce, yet there is a widening educational gap when it comes to STEM.
To help bridge this divide, Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley, located in Monterey Park, Calif., has received a newly-renovated “Tween Tech Center,” a STEM learning space targeting middle school students, made possible by BGCA and Samsung.
Many of today’s youth are not exposed to STEM role models and careers. During the out-of-school time, Boys & Girls Clubs provide high-impact programming to positively engage students in STEM subjects. And today, Samsung and BGCA are excited to open the doors to their 11thtechnology makeover location. Samsung helped transform Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley into a high-tech learning space that features colorful, engaging and dynamic work and reading stations. The space is outfitted with more than 40 Samsung Galaxy tablets and laptops that enable students to access a STEM-focused curriculum designed specifically for middle school-aged youth at Boys & Girls Clubs.
“Samsung believes it’s our responsibility to inspire passion about STEM subjects early in students’ lives with the hope that they will pursue them as college majors, and ultimately viable career paths,” said Ann Woo, senior director of corporate citizenship at Samsung Electronics North America. “This sense of responsibility is a reflection of what’s in the hearts and minds of the people who makeup Samsung and our commitment to helping prepare K-12 students for bright futures. Through our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we’re able to reach middle school kids who otherwise might not have access to the latest technology or a customized STEM curriculum. By putting these cutting-edge resources in the hands of Boys & Girls Clubs’ staff members, they’ll be better positioned to effectively instruct and nurture the interest in STEM among the middle school population outside regular classroom hours.”
Over the past two years, Samsung has partnered with BGCA to deliver technology, customized curriculums and new learning spaces that enable youth to explore and learn about STEM. So far, the initiative has reached more than 11,000 Club members across the United States. Samsung will also disperse an additional 600 tablets to other Clubs around the country by the spring of 2016.
“The ‘Tween Tech Centers‘ provide our Club kids and teens an opportunity to engage with the latest technology while also igniting and enhancing their STEM knowledge,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of BGCA. “It’s critical that we create fun and engaging opportunities for the next generation to learn essential STEM skills. These renovated Club spaces give youth a chance to explore their interests and develop skills needed for 21st century leadership and a great future.”
The opening of the latest “Tween Tech Center” will be celebrated during a ribbon cutting ceremony at West San Gabriel Valley Club today. Congresswoman Judy Chu, U.S. Representative for California’s 27th Congressional District voiced her support of the critical importance of STEM education and the work the Club does to improve the local community within her district.
“I’m so excited for this new partnership and what it will mean for the youth in our area and the future of our country,” said Congresswoman Chu. “America is lagging behind the rest of the developed world in the STEM fields, threatening our leadership role in the future. Exposure to and opportunities with these new technologies for our youth today can change that. When every child who has an interest in STEM has the opportunity and resources they need, the possibilities for our future are bright. I’m so glad to have organizations like Samsung and Boys & Girls Clubs of America joining our effort in Washington to increase STEM education in our country.”
Through the Hope for Children initiative, Samsung aims to boost enthusiasm for STEM subjects among K-12 students and provide an avenue of discovery for career possibilities and the innovations of tomorrow. Its many philanthropic programs and partnerships are focused on solving for education, health and environmental issues that inspire the next generation of innovators. In addition to the company’s work with Boys & Girls Clubs in the Los Angeles area, Samsung is also supporting the community through other local programs, including its emPower Tomorrow and Ready, Set, Gold! programs.
Experience the excitement Boys & Girls Club students, staff and leadership feel at each new “Tween Tech Center” unveiling:LINK.
