AT&T sponsors Maryland STEM Innovation School in Prince George's County

AT&T sponsors Maryland STEM Innovation School in Prince George’s County

Prince George’s County, MD – High Point High School in Prince George’s County is the newest addition to Maryland’s STEM Innovation School network, thanks to generous support from AT&T. As a STEM Innovation School, teachers and students at High Point High School will have unprecedented access to workplace professionals and high-quality instructional resources that will help prepare students for success in college and careers.

In partnership with state support, State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lillian Lowery, and local school superintendents, the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) developed Maryland’s STEM Innovation Network – STEMnet – an online platform that pulls together in one place people, resources, tools and services to support teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Federal and state funding and corporate support, including a $200,000 contribution (CHECK) from AT&T in 2011, enabled creation of STEMnet and the designation of 49 STEM Innovation Schools, representing every Maryland school district. Additional funding is being sought to expand the network to more schools, teachers and students. AT&T was one of the first corporations to make this expansion possible.

”AT&T and other high-tech companies in Maryland and around the country need a capable and diverse pipeline of employees to fuel 21st century jobs. Today, the need is outpacing their availability,” said Denis Dunn, president, AT&T Maryland. The MBRT has a long history of preparing Maryland’s students for college and career success, and this new program in Prince George’s County will help prepare the next generation of STEM leaders in Maryland.

Dunn added that the contribution is part of AT&T’s Aspire program, one of the largest corporate commitments focused on helping more students graduate from high school ready for college and careers. In 2012, AT&T announced an additional quarter-billion-dollar expansion of the program, bringing the total commitment to $350 million since Aspire was launched in 2008. Learn more about the program by visiting www.att.com/aspire.

As a result of AT&T funding, teachers and students at High Point High School will have unlimited access to cutting-edge resources, tools, programs, volunteers and workforce connections to strengthen teaching and learning. In addition, teachers will be trained in effective use of STEMnet and will have access to specially crafted lessons that are aligned to new content standards and practices.

“The STEM Innovation Schools program is a perfect example of the great impact our business community can have on public education,” said Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer for Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). “This will greatly enhance the STEM program at our selected high schools, and will provide a wonderful opportunity for student to learn more about STEM careers from professionals in the field.”

High Point High School joins four other Prince George’s County schools – Dr. Henry Wise High School, Northwestern High School, Suitland High School and Laurel High School – in the state network of STEM Innovation Schools.

“AT&T is a visionary leader not only in supporting students and teachers, but in making investments that will result in a better future,” says Dean Ertwine, MBRT Executive Director. “Our goal is to make this opportunity available to all Maryland schools. We are confident that Maryland’s corporate community is up to the challenge.”

About MBRT

Founded in 1992, the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education is a non-profit coalition of leading employers that have made a long-term commitment to support education reform and improve student achievement in Maryland. For more information, visit www.mbrt.org.

###