Stony Brook University Receives Motorola Solutions Foundation STEM Grant to Support Math and Science Education
After-School STEM Programs for Middle/High School for Girls Spark Awareness of Technology and Engineering
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| Miriam Nariwala (Brentwood Freshman Center 9th grade), Judy Vidal (Brentwood Freshman Center 9th grade), Diana Pena (Brentwood East Middle School 8th grade), and Giselle Fernandez (East Middle School 8th grade), working on their electrical circuit in the Engineering component of TechPREP Summer 2011. |
STONY BROOK, NY – September 2, 2011 – Stony Brook University today announced that Motorola Solutions is funding a brand new collaborative program at Stony Brook for high school students on Long Island called “STEM Tech.” The $125,000 grant is part of the Innovation Generation grant program from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions Inc. The program is an outreach after-school program offered through Stony Brook University that will serve as many as 300 students from high-needs school districts during the 2011-2012 academic year.
Through the Motorola Solutions grant, STEM Tech will provide funding and facilitators for the creation of four STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – after-school clubs. The clubs will work on service learning projects and will finish the academic year program with a capstone conference at which students will present projects that address some of the regional environmental issues affecting Local Island.
In addition to the establishment of STEM Tech, the Motorola Solutions grant provides for a fourth year of support for the TechPREP program beginning in March of 2012. TechPREP provides 90 hours of educational and experiential learning for middle school girls in the areas of computer science, mathematics and physics, and engineering.
“The future of American innovation depends on a diverse pipeline of critical thinkers who are well versed in STEM principles,” said Matt Blakely, director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. “Through the Innovation Generation program, we are thrilled to partner with programs like STEM Tech and TechPREP to provide students and teachers with the necessary tools to explore their STEM interests and pursue innovation.”
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| Chariel Mae Tabanyang, a 10th grader in Longwood High School, working on her electrical circuit in the Engineering component of TechPREP Summer 2011. |
STEM Tech is a collaborative effort which includes Stony Brook University’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program; Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) and the Department of Technology and Society; local school districts; WISE SISTER Mentors; Suffolk County Girl Scouts; the Long Island Service Learning Network; and, Connect To Tech (a consortium of industry representatives). As part of the program, STEM Tech will host a “Fun with Engineering Day” in which students from local middle and high schools will come to the Stony Brook campus and meet successful role models, learn about college and explore some of the University’s laboratories. Students will participate in field trips to Brookhaven National Laboratory and local businesses. The year will end with a capstone competition where each STEM Tech club will present their model solution to the Long Island environmental issue they identified and addressed.
The Motorola Solutions Foundation’s Innovation Generation program is designed to inspire students to learn about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Innovation Generation funding equips students with the skills essential to both their lives today and their future success through funding, employee volunteers and intra-grantee collaboration. This year, the program will provide $5.5 million to K-12 programs across the U.S., including STEM Tech and TechPREP, to support hands-on, innovative after-school programs, science and math clubs, teacher training and mentoring programs.
“The funding from Motorola Solutions Innovation Generation Collaborative grant will allow TechPREP and STEM Tech to continue to develop opportunities for students to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics while meeting a variety of role models from the community, industry and the university,” said Carrie-Ann Miller, Co-Director of STEM Tech and TechPREP. “They learn first-hand about innovation, project development, and what potential they can have to impact the future!”.
Co-Director Paul Siegel, says that the support from Motorola Solutions also provides a way for the University and the LI business community to spread some of their intellectual capital and entrepreneurial acumen into areas of need.
Innovation Generation is a part of Motorola Solutions’ larger commitment to engaging youth in STEM education. Beyond funding, STEM Tech and TechPREP will receive ongoing support from Motorola Solutions employee volunteers, who will act as mentors, tutors, and experts in STEM careers, which utilizes the expertise of Motorola Solutions’ workforce to inspire the next generation of inventors. STEM Tech is also now a part of the Innovation Generation network, where it can create vital connections with hundreds of other organizations with the common vision to make a greater impact on STEM education.
Founded in 2007, the Innovation Generation Grants have awarded more than $25.5 million to STEM programs nationwide. For more information on the grant program, please visit www.motorolasolutions.com/giving. For additional information on STEM Tech and TechPREP call 631-632-9648 or visit www.stonybrook.edu/techprep.
About STEM Tech and TechPREP
TechPREP is a multi-track program targeting 6th-8th grade female students, parents and school administrators in high needs school districts on Long Island. STEM Tech will be a newly formed program that will create several clubs for middle and high school students on Long Island. The clubs will focus on an environmental issue in their communities. Students will design and develop a model solution and present it at a capstone event in the spring. This consortium of Stony Brook University programs including Connect to Tech, the Science and Technology Program (STEP) and the Women in Science and Engineering Program (WISE), will deliver an integrated program encompassing mentoring, technology demonstrations, classroom instruction and overall awareness of engineering and computer technologies. Connect To Tech, a network of high tech professionals and teachers, the Suffolk County Girls Scouts, and the Long Island Regional Service Learning Network will work collaboratively with Stony Brook University to assist in the development and success of STEM Tech and its clubs.
About Motorola Solutions Foundation
The Motorola Solutions Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions. With employees located around the globe, Motorola Solutions seeks to benefit the communities where it operates. The company achieves this by making strategic grants, forging strong community partnerships and fostering innovation. The Motorola Solutions Foundation focuses its funding on public safety, disaster relief, employee programs and education, especially science, technology, engineering and math programming. For more information on Motorola Solutions Corporate and Foundation giving, visit www.motorolasolutions.com/giving.
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