Stony Brook University’s College Of Engineering & Applied Science TechPREP Program Sparks Awareness Of Technology And Engineering Among Middle School Girls From Brentwood And Longwood School Districts
STONY BROOK, May 15, 2009 — The TechPREP program, funded through a $50,000 Innovation Generation grant from the Motorola Foundation, was inaugurated on March 21st. TechPREP is a collaborative effort between the Liberty Partnership, the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), the Department of Technology and Society and the Outreach Program for Long Island Technology Education (OPLITE).
TechPREP program participants working in computer lab with their mentors.
TechPREP is a multi-track program targeting 6th-8th grade female students, parents and school administrators in high needs school districts on Long Island. The collaborators are delivering an integrated program that encompasses mentoring, technology demonstrations, classroom instruction, and an overall awareness of engineering and computer technologies. “Due to a nationwide shortage of technology workers, particularly women, there is a need to introduce young women to technology fields early in their education,” says Carrie-Ann Miller the Director of Stony Brook’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Program and Co-Director of TechPREP.
The Motorola Foundation’s Innovation Generation grant program seeks to spark student interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as well as help develop critical-thinking skills for the long term. Providing $4 million to K-12 programs across the U.S. in 2008, the initiative supports hands-on, innovative after-school programs, science and math clubs, teacher training and mentoring programs.
“By funding TechPREP, the Motorola Foundation recognizes the importance of supporting University outreach programs that facilitate corporate partnerships which directly impact the technology worker shortage, as well as address the lack of women in STEM disciplines,” says Paul Siegel, Co-Director of TechPREP.
Motorola’s Innovation Generation Grant is further proof of how local initiatives can have a global impact. U.S. student achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics is lagging compared to the rest of the world. Evaluated against international competition, fourth-grade students score similarly, but by the time they reach 12th grade U.S. students fall near the bottom in math and science.1
“By showing students the real-world applications of concepts they learn in the classroom, Innovation Generation programs open their eyes to possibilities,” said Eileen Sweeney, director of the Motorola Foundation. “Programs like TechPREP develop student confidence and skills to succeed in a sophisticated world and a dynamic and competitive global marketplace.”
Since 2000, the Motorola Foundation has contributed more than $35 million to education initiatives with a focus on STEM.
About the Motorola Foundation
The Motorola Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola. With employees located around the globe, Motorola seeks to benefit the communities where it operates. The company achieves this by making strategic grants, forging strong community partnerships, fostering innovation and engaging stakeholders. The Motorola Foundation focuses its funding on education, especially science, technology, engineering and math programming. For more information, on Motorola Corporate and Foundation giving, visit www.motorola.com/giving.
1 According to the National Center for Education’s Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2003, the most recent report available. Next report will be issued December 2008.
