Hyundai Motor America Funds ST Math® Program At 19 Philadelphia Schools To Improve Student Performance In Stem Fields

PHILADELPHIA, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America presented a grant to the School District of Philadelphia yesterday that will continue to provide ST Math®, a unique, visually-based software program developed by the MIND Research Institute, to 6,000 students and 315 teachers at 19 Philadelphia campuses this year. This latest effort is part of Hyundai's ST Math Initiative, a partnership with MIND aimed at improving long-term academic success at high-need schools.

The grant was presented during a special celebration at Philip H. Sheridan Elementary School in Philadelphia that brought together students, teachers, and community leaders, including Congressman Chaka Fattah of Pennsylvania's 2^nd Congressional District, Dr. Donyall Dickey, Chief Academic Officer at The School District of Philadelphia, Zafar Brooks, Director of CSR and Diversity Inclusion at Hyundai Motor America, among others. The event offered a first-hand look at one of the school's blended learning environments that features the ST Math program.  

Congressman Chaka Fattah said, "The Hyundai Corporation has proven over and over its commitment to ensure the well-being of children across the nation but especially in Philadelphia.  From this grant that will help thousands of students with fundamental math concepts to its millions of dollars to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and other institutions in support of neuroscience - particularly in brain cancer research for children – I am appreciative of Hyundai's investment in  America's next generation of learners and leaders."

"We are thrilled by Hyundai Motor America's support," said Dr. William R. Hite, Superintendent, School District of Philadelphia. "The ST Math program greatly increases our students' opportunities for success and enhances our mathematics curriculum. Thanks to the MIND Research Institute and Hyundai for partnering in this work."

ST Math, already used in Philadelphia and other school districts across the country, helps students gain a deeper understanding of math concepts through computer-based puzzles featuring JiJi the penguin, beginning in kindergarten and continuing through high school.  Research shows that early math skills are the greatest predictor of later academic success and high school graduation – a primary focus of the Hyundai ST Math Initiative.

"Our primary goal through the ST Math Initiative is to help students develop a love for learning in order to increase their likelihood of later academic success," said Zafar Brooks. "Academic advancement particularly in the STEM fields is of critical importance in today's economy and we're pleased to continue to offer this proven program to students in Philadelphia that will greatly benefit from it."

The initiative benefits over 17,350 students and nearly 800 teachers across cities nationwide, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, New York City, among others. Hyundai will look to introduce the program at more cities later this year.

To follow the success of Hyundai's ST Math Initiative, visit www.mindresearch.org/hyundailovesjiji.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea.  Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide.  All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty; Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care that provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for three years.  These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com

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About MIND Research Institute

MIND Research Institute is a neuroscience and education social benefit nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the world's most challenging problems. MIND's distinctive visual approach to math and problem-solving is the basis of its innovative, research-proven ST Math® programs for elementary and secondary schools. The visually-based ST Math program has been shown to double or triple schools' growth rates in math proficiency. MIND's programs currently reach 800,000 students and 31,000 teachers in 2,500 schools in 40 states. For more information, visit www.mindresearch.org.

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America

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