RICHARDSON, Texas & ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are critical to the future success of young people as many of the fastest growing jobs in the U.S. will require some education in STEM. Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung Mobile) today announced a national technology partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to inspire kids’ curiosity in STEM and bridge the academic achievement gap by providing technology access to underprivileged youth.
Through the partnership, a sustainable program model is being developed to increase the access and impactful use of mobile technology in Boys & Girls Clubs by redesigning classroom learning spaces and equipping them with mobile technology and developing custom STEM programming for use on mobile devices.
“At Samsung, we are committed to providing our mobile technology to educate, engage and enrich lives in a way that makes a real impact on our youth; and consequently in the larger communities we serve,” said Gregory Lee, president and CEO of Samsung Telecommunications America and Samsung Electronics North America Headquarters. “We are truly excited to join forces with an organization like BGCA that shares the same passion and dedication to helping young people realize their dreams and explore future careers in STEM fields.”
Samsung has enlisted TV personality and celebrity designer Carter Oosterhouse to help transform the learning spaces of up to 20 Boys & Girls Clubs in 2014 with design concepts that are dynamic and engaging with Samsung technology in the Clubs’ new “Tween Tech Centers.” An additional 1,200 Samsung tablets with custom curriculum and ebooks will be donated to 120 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country to assist kids’ education and literacy goals and inspire future careers in STEM.
To enhance children’s digital learning experiences, each of the Galaxy tablets will be outfitted with age-appropriate learning materials designed by recognized education leader, Scholastic. The materials will challenge students to apply critical problem-solving skills as they invent creative engineering-based solutions for their own communities’ needs. In addition, each tablet will include a customized ebook library of 185 top-quality fiction and nonfiction titles, available exclusively from the Scholastic Storia® eReading app. To further encourage Club kids to track their reading time, each tablet will also include a custom reading timer app that generates unique reading badges as kids read on the tablets.
“We are grateful for Samsung Mobile’s generous support to provide renovated technology classrooms with the latest Samsung devices for learning,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of BGCA. “At BGCA, we believe that America’s future STEM workforce is in our Clubs today, and through this partnership, we seek to spark kids’ interest in STEM and prepare young people for 21st century success.”
Samsung kicked off the Club makeovers in New Orleans during NBA All-Star Weekend on February 15, transforming the learning space at the Westbank Unit of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana with tablets and TVs and providing laptops in the computer area. The renovated Tween Tech Center at the North Fort Worth Branch of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth, revealed on April 4, marks the second technology classroom makeover as part of the partnership.
Research shows that out-of-school programs, like those offered at Boys & Girls Clubs, are effective in stimulating interested in STEM-related careers. Since 2008, more than 850,000 kids have engaged in STEM activities at Clubs across the country. To learn more about STEM programs and opportunities at Boys & Girls Clubs, visit www.GreatFutures.org.
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, (Samsung Mobile) a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops, and markets wireless handsets, wireless infrastructure, and other telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors, and LED solutions. We employ 270,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
