CHEVY CHASE, Md., Jan. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on momentum generated in 2014, National 4-H Council and HughesNet^®, the nation's #1 satellite Internet service from Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), are announcing today a new 2015 program supporting their commitment to introduce more American youth to hands-on, community-based science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. The partnership brings STEM learning experiences to youth across the country, including small communities where resources for interactive STEM learning can be limited.

"Innovation Incubator" Science Experiences are a new addition to the partnership under which thousands of youth across the nation will design innovative science solutions to solve real community challenges. States will compete to receive "Innovation Incubator" Science Sponsorships, and ultimately two young innovators will be selected to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the flagship 4-H National Youth Science Day event in Washington, D.C., where they will participate in the world's largest youth-led science experiment.

Also new this year, National 4-H Council and HughesNet are launching the 4-H GROWN Alumni Campaign. The interactive campaign invites the estimated 25 million 4-H alumni across the U.S. to help direct sponsorship funding to their state by checking in at www.4-H.org/4HGROWN, tagging friends and casting votes to bring more science innovation experiences to youth in their communities. A $10,000 "Innovation Incubator" Science Sponsorship will be awarded to States with the largest number of votes. Through 4-H GROWN, alumni will also re-connect with the local 4-H that helped them succeed and with a network of millions of 4-Hers around the world.

"In our first year of partnership, National 4-H Council and HughesNet helped thousands of young people experience the excitement of STEM firsthand," said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. "I am thrilled with our new 2015 program that will engage even more young people and expand our reach to involve 4-H alumni in our mission to show that STEM can be rewarding and fun."

"We consider our partnership with 4-H to be a tremendous success and we're excited to be helping to develop the scope of the program into 2015," said Mike Cook, senior vice president, Hughes North America Division. "Exposing thousands of children to the excitement of STEM is priceless—and we're thrilled to continue our work with 4-H to make a difference in the kids' lives."

To learn more about the National 4-H Council and HughesNet partnership visit www.hughesnet.com/4h.

About 4-H
4-H, the nation's largest youth development and empowerment organization, cultivates confident kids who tackle the issues that matter most in their communities right now. In the United States, 4-H programs empower six million young people through the 109 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension in more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, independent, country-led 4-H organizations empower one million young people in more than 50 countries. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.

About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world's leading provider of satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments globally. HughesNet is the #1 high-speed satellite Internet service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 4 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing approximately 50 percent market share. Its products employ global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions. For additional information about Hughes, please visit www.hughes.com.

Hughes and HughesNet are registered trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC.

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