TechTown Receives $10,000 Grant From Best Buy Foundation To Support Teen Initiatives

  • Thursday, November 3, 2016

TechTown Foundation has received a $10,000 grant from the Best Buy Foundation Community Grant program to support the STEAMgirls and STEAMteens initiatives which strive to engage, promote, and provide educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, art, and math that are uniquely designed to encourage teens to develop 21st-century skills needed for ever-changing technological and scientific landscape. 

Currently in the United States, STEAM education goals are broad and include expanding the number of students who pursue STEAM fields, broaden workforce readiness, and target STEAM literacy for all students.  STEAMgirls and STEAMteens at TechTown address the specific need of closing the socioeconomic, gender, ethnic, and availability gap that currently exists for many in our community.  By providing girl/teen-centric program content along with using teaching techniques that promote creative, active, and collaborative learning, these initiatives aim to inspire future STEAM engagement and debunk current stigmas, stereotypes, and misconceptions about STEAM professions.  Thanks to the Best Buy grant a variety of programing which includes special STEAMgirls’ Night Out events, pop-up teen day learning events and multi-day camps will now be available.

Chris Ramsey, COO of TechTown, said, "TechTown's mission is to provide education, training, career awareness, and to provide access to high-quality technology to young innovators in the Chattanooga community.  TechTown hopes to level the playing field, for all young people by providing access to an unique technology and entrepreneurial learning center with unlimited possibilities in the technology fields and 21st century workforce training via project-based learning.  We appreciate Best Buy's support in helping us accomplish or mission."

The Best Buy Foundation Community Grant program awards grants through a competitive application and review process. As technology becomes more ingrained in our society, Best Buy knows it is increasingly necessary for youth to develop the 21st-century skills that will set them up for future career success. Yet, a participation gap exists. Too many teens have little or no access to technology and, as a result, they fall behind their peers.  Best Buy Foundation is on a mission to provide teens with places and opportunities to develop technology skills that will inspire future education and career choices by supporting local efforts through community grants to support programs or projects that share in these goals.

“We are on a mission to provide teens with opportunities where they can develop technology skills that will inspire future education and career choices.  Perhaps one day, they will even consider joining our team,” said Sandra Chapman, general manager of Best Buy Mobile, Chattanooga.      

The STEAMgirls and STEAMteens programing will begin in the Fall of 2016, and continue throughout the 2016-17 year.

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