Orbital ATK today announced an in-kind donation of approximately 500 personal computers to the Utah STEM Action Center, on behalf of the company’s Aerospace Structures Division in Clearfield and its 3,000 Utah employees. Today’s announcement took place at Horace Mann Elementary where the first 20 computers to be donated were given to students at the school.
“The Utah STEM Action Center, on behalf of our education partners, cannot say enough about how much we appreciate the support Orbital ATK has provided to the state’s students and teachers,” said Dr. Tamara Goetz, executive director of the Utah STEM Action Center. “Lack of access to computers prevents students from experiencing the benefits of online learning programs that can enrich and support their instruction. This donation from Orbital ATK will help us address those gaps in resources for Utah students and teachers.”
The donation will directly support Utah schools and help prepare students for careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), bolstering the Orbital ATK commitment to the Utah STEM Action Center’s initiatives and to STEM education in the state of Utah.
“At Orbital ATK, we believe investing in education is an investment in the future of our community and our company,” said Steve Earl, vice president and general manager of Orbital ATK’s Aerospace Structures Division. “Partnering with institutions like the Utah STEM Action Center to advance STEM opportunities in local elementary schools won’t just have an impact on how we make composite structures in the future; we believe it will help shape the future of aerospace transportation for our society.”
STEM education of elementary and middle school students is vital to maintain a vibrant, diverse workforce and to ensure Utah remains secure and prosperous. Of particular concern are the seventh through 10th grades, when students are most likely to switch out of STEM-focused classes into other courses.
The goal of the Orbital ATK in-kind support is to provide the Utah STEM Action Center with resources to encourage Utah kids to pursue their dreams, explore STEM careers, prepare them to join innovative companies, have rewarding work experiences in almost every sector and see themselves as able to accomplish great things.
Today, fourth grade students at Horace Mann Elementary School use the first 20 of more than 500 computers to be donated by Orbital ATK to schools statewide.
Read the original posting at GOED here.