Four Northern California Schools to Launch Innovative New STEM Programs with Support from Verizon

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Jan. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Students at four Northern California schools will soon launch innovative new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs with support from Verizon. 

Each school has been awarded a $20,000 Verizon Innovate Learning Grant. They are four out of the 80 public schools across the country to receive a grant this year as part of Verizon's investment to help provide teachers with the resources they need to use technology more innovatively and effectively to engage students in science, technology, engineering and math.

Below are details about the STEM programs to be funded by the Verizon Innovative Learning Grants:

• San Francisco Alliance of Black School Educators (San Francisco, CA) - The Robotics Clubs for Inner City Youth will meet twice a week to get students interested in STEM using common core standards, technology & robots. The goal is to provide an avenue for elementary and middle school students from low-income areas of San Francisco with an opportunity to learn and appreciate STEM education.
• Jeanne R. Meadows Elementary (San Jose, CA) – Fourth through sixth grade students will gain experience in computer programming and control systems using robotics to ignite their curiosity and passion for pursuing STEM careers.  They will simultaneously undergo engineering design challenges to strengthen their critical thinking and problem solving skills. Computer coding will be an additional unit of focus for sixth graders.
• KIPP Bayview Academy (San Francisco, CA) – Since it opened its doors in 2003, KIPP Bayview has consistently proven that with hard work and commitment, traditionally underserved students can achieve outstanding success. The school is committed to closing the digital divide by providing its students access to technology through a college-prep education with a focus on digital literacy and career readiness. The Verizon Innovative Learning Grant will support a challenge-based course in which students will master digital literacy standards and gain an understanding of the principles of computer science.
• Paramount Academy (Delano, CA) - Students will learn and apply engineering principles by designing and manufacturing objects for use in STEM intensive projects, complete with working illustrations and specifications of the subsequent parts. The program will culminate with students demonstrating a functional business model worthy of outside venture capital funding.

"We created this program to support the integration of innovative STEM initiatives in schools across the country, and we are pleased to recognize these schools," said Russ Preite, region president for Verizon Wireless. "The proposal submitted by these schools exemplifies the type of initiatives that will provide exposure to students around STEM fields, and also offer students hands-on project-based learning opportunities that will help increase their interest and achievement in STEM."

The significant demand for STEM-educated workers has been well documented in recent years, and a 2014 report found that the STEM job market is even larger than had been reported previously. 

The Verizon Innovate Learning Grants program is part of Verizon's commitment to the Obama administration's ConnectED initiative, under which Verizon is providing up to $100 million in cash and in-kind contributions to drive student achievement, especially in STEM subjects.

To view a list of schools that received Verizon Innovate Learning Grants, visit http://www.thinkfinity.org/innovateaward/docs/innovate-learning-grant-recipients-14-15.pdf.

About the Verizon Foundation
The Verizon Foundation is focused on accelerating social change by using the company's innovative technology to help solve pressing problems in education, healthcare and energy management.  Since 2000, the Verizon Foundation has invested more than half a billion dollars to improve the communities where Verizon employees work and live. Verizon's employees are generous with their donations and their time, having logged more than 6.8 million hours of service to make a positive difference in their communities.  For more information about Verizon's philanthropic work, visit www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/; or for regular updates, visit the Foundation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/verizonfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/verizongiving).

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SOURCE Verizon

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