Future Shop's Future Generation Tech Lab program expands grant opportunities to elementary schools

Program will award $100,000 to upgrade technology and inspire students in kindergarten-grade eight

Announcement Highlights:

• Future Shop's Future Generation Tech Lab program expands and will award up to $100,000 to elementary schools with grades ranging from kindergarten up to and including grade eight and secondary 2 in Quebec
• Similar to the Tech Lab program focused on high schools, elementary school winners will see the grant awarded as cash to be used towards technology and other equipment needed for improvements
• Elementary schools can apply for a Future Shop Future Generation Tech Lab grant starting May 22 through June 28, 2013 at www.futureshop.ca/techlab

BURNABY, BC, May 22, 2013 /CNW/ - After five successful years of helping nearly 50 high schools across Canada transform their classrooms into modern learning centres, Future Shop's Future Generation Tech Lab program today announced the expansion of its grant opportunities to elementary schools. These grants will award up to $100,000 to public schools with grades ranging from kindergarten up to and including grade eight and secondary 2 in Quebec. Applications are being accepted now through June 28, 2013.

"Future Shop has seen amazing transformations in the secondary schools across Canada over the past five years.  We know the impact that technology can make on helping kids learn, be inspired and unlock their creativity," said Andrea Farnell, Community Relations Manager, Future Shop.  "We're excited to expand our Future Generation Tech Lab grant program to include elementary schools."

The Future Generation Tech Lab program exists to equip more students with the right technology to keep them inspired, motivated and empowered as they learn and grow. Similar to the Tech Lab program focused on high schools, successful elementary schools will see the grant awarded as cash to be used towards technology and other equipment the schools need to improve their classrooms to help foster and advance learning.

Elementary schools can apply for a Future Shop Future Generation Tech Lab grant starting May 22 through June 28, 2013 at www.futureshop.ca/techlab. Winners will be announced in September after a panel of Future Shop associates have evaluated the submissions.

Since 2008, Future Shop's Future Generation Tech Lab program has awarded 48 Canadian high schools in grants totalling more than $1.5 million.

Future and Futureshop.ca are Canada's leading destinations for consumer electronics and lifestyle goods.

About Future Shop
With 140 stores across the country and the nation's premier web store (www.futureshop.ca), Burnaby, BC-based Future Shop is Canada's largest retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics. The company employs 10,000 technology enthusiasts, has enabled its website, Futureshop.ca, to deliver unparalleled content about the products it sells. Futureshop.ca also hosts an online community forum and tech blog called Tech Yeah for technology beginners and tech-savvy experts to exchange ideas, reviews, tips and other consumer electronics information (www.futureshop.ca/techyeah). As a proud corporate citizen, Future Shop has developed solutions to recycle used electronics and is committed to employee volunteerism and supporting non-profit organizations dedicated to transforming local youth into Future Leaders (see www.futureshop.ca/futuregeneration).

SOURCE: Future Shop