Business Coalition Igniting Learning in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology for Thousands of Youth

Successful School-Business Partnerships Featured at White House Science Fair

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the White House Science Fair on Feb. 7, students participating in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs supported by Change the Equation member companies are among students from across the country who will be recognized for their STEM feats.

These students exemplify the "extraordinary accomplishments made possible when students are exposed to high-quality, engaging and hands-on STEM learning opportunities," said Linda Rosen, CEO of Change the Equation (CTEq), a non-profit organization dedicated to mobilizing the business community to improve the quality of STEM learning in the United States. Together, CTEq member companies made available for the first time a set of proven, highly-effective STEM programs to tens of thousands of students.

Fountain-Fort Carson High School (CO) student Arimus Wells credited the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) for providing his school access to Advanced Placement math, science and English courses. The NMSI program was made possible through the financial support of CTEq-member company ExxonMobil.

Wells enrolled in all the senior level AP courses offered and said they have "greatly benefited my academics by providing me with the ability to exercise my intellect and think critically about various issues. I have been able to experience a quality education that will adequately prepare me for future endeavors." Wells plans to pursue a degree in urban planning and public policy with a minor in business administration.

East Mecklenburg High School (NC) freshman Kayla Burriss has been part of her school's new Academy of Engineering, which was made possible through business support and involvement. The small school-within-a-school learning community will equip high school students with the science and math skills to study engineering in college. Kayla's mother, Michelle Paige, who is accompanying her daughter to the White house Science Fair said, "I have definitely seen a change in Kayla. She talks about her engineering course and has begun to change her goals and is looking toward the future. Kayla has increased confidence and excitement about what she can do and when she completes her goals she will be the first one to graduate from college in her family."

This is one of nearly a dozen career academies in high schools throughout the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system, which were created by the nonprofit National Academy Foundation. Seed funding for the Academy of Engineering was made possible by the AT&T Foundation, with additional support provided by other CTEq-member companies Xerox, Verizon, and Motorola.

One of the goals for East Mecklenburg's Academy of Engineering is to increase the number of minority and female engineers, a shared goal of the CTEq membership said Rosen. "A deliberate effort among the coalition is to bring more high-quality STEM learning opportunities to minorities and female students, both of whom are underrepresented in STEM professions."

The programs created at these two schools represent a small fraction of the corporate philanthropy directed toward increasing the number of high-quality STEM learning opportunities nationwide. In September 2010, President Barack Obama issued a challenge to the CEO members of Change the Equation to bring a handful of excellent, research-based learning programs to 100 new sites within a year.

CTEq member companies handily exceeded the president's challenge and expanded five high-quality STEM programs to 134 schools, reaching nearly 40,000 additional students across America. Igniting Learning (www.ignitinglearning.org) showcases the U.S. business community's commitment to create enthusiasm and deepen the STEM knowledge and skills of both students and teachers through these five programs:

• Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program (APTIP)
• Engineering is Elementary
• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
• K-8 Math Progressions 
• National Academy Foundation

A full list of the CTEq's members participating in this scaling up effort is below.

Change the Equation (CTEq) is an unprecedented non-profit, non-partisan initiative of business leaders who are connecting and aligning their philanthropy and advocacy to transform science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning in the United States. www.changetheequation.org.

CTEq Members Participating in Expansion Effort:

Agilent
Advanced Micro Devices
BAE Systems
Bechtel
Cognizant
Comcast
Deloitte
EMC(2)
ExxonMobil
Google
Hewlett-Packard
IBM
Intel
Lockheed Martin
Motorola
Northrop Grumman
Proctor & Gamble
Raytheon Company
Synopsys
Texas Instruments
Time Warner Cable
Verizon
Xerox
ThermoFisher Scientific

SOURCE Change the Equation