BASKING RIDGE, N.J.,
April 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Verizon is sending hundreds of minority middle school boys across
the U.S. to college campuses this summer for technology education
as part of its Minority Male Makers program. The first-of-its-kind,
two-year program exposes young male African American and Latino
students to technology, including coding software and 3D printers,
and provides valuable STEM (science, technology, engineering and
math) and entrepreneurship skills. The program also pairs students
with mentors from the university for continued learning and support
throughout the school year.
Launched in the summer of 2015 in partnership with four
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the Verizon
Minority Male Makers program reached more than 470 middle school
boys. Today, Verizon announces the expansion of the program
to an additional seven HBCUs and one Hispanic-serving institution
including:
- California State University, San
Bernardino, San Bernardino,
CA
- Central State University,
Wilberforce, OH
- Clark Atlanta University,
Atlanta, GA
- Delaware State University,
Dover, DE
- Hampton University, Hampton, VA
- Harris-Stowe State University, St.
Louis, MO
- Texas Southern University,
Houston, TX
- University of the District of
Columbia, Washington,
DC
"As a mother of two sons, I am well aware of the challenges that
African American males struggle with today. We created the
Minority Male Makers program to provide these young men with STEM
skills, because I have seen firsthand how exposure to technology
can open their eyes to a brighter future they thought was out of
their reach. We've already seen amazing results, and we can't wait
to see how they'll change the world," said Justina Nixon Saintil, director of Education
Programs at Verizon.
In the first year of Verizon's Minority Male Makers program,
more than 580 products including apps and 3D printed objects were
designed and created by students. An evaluation of the program also
revealed that:
- 100% of students increased mobile technology proficiency;
- 75% increased interest in STEM subjects; and
- 69% increased interest in STEM careers.
Minority males remain severely underrepresented in STEM fields,
according to the National Science Foundation. In an effort to
address this disparity, the initiative aims to spark students'
interest in STEM before high school, a time when many students lose
interest in these subjects, according to a study from
STEMconnector.
Verizon's Minority Male Makers program includes summer
technology classes where the students work on hands-on projects.
The classes are held 4-5 days per week, for up to four weeks and
are taught by university partners. Students also meet with mentors
and gain further experience with technology throughout the school
year. In addition, accomplished entrepreneur, music executive and
program ambassador, Kevin Liles, has
visited the universities to inspire the middle school students on
turning innovative ideas into business ventures.
About the Verizon Foundation
The Verizon Foundation is focused on accelerating social change
by using the company's innovative technology to help solve pressing
problems in education, healthcare and energy management.
Since 2000, the Verizon Foundation has invested more than half a
billion dollars to improve the communities where Verizon employees
work and live. Verizon's employees are generous with their
donations and their time, having logged more than 6.8 million hours
of service to make a positive difference in their
communities. For more information about Verizon's
philanthropic work,
visit www.verizon.com/about/responsibility; or for
regular updates, visit the Foundation on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/verizonfoundation) and Twitter
(www.twitter.com/verizongiving).
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive
speeches and biographies, media contacts and other information are
available at Verizon's online News Center at
www.verizon.com/news/. The news releases are
available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit
www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.
Media contact:
Jessica
Shih
908.559.1741
jessica.shih@verizonwireless.com
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SOURCE Verizon