IBM K-12 Initiatives
IBM has a number of programs to increase the number of students entering science, technology, engineering and math. IBM considers it vitally important that we nurture and increase the number of students entering these fields and lack of participation could potentially affect America’s competitiveness in a global economy.
Below is a snapshot of some of the programs that IBM offers:
IBMer Melba Lopez, center, helps 13 year old Brittany Fernandez, left, design a web page during an activity in the E.X.I.T.E. camp held at IBM RTP.
IBM EX.I.T.E. Camps – nominated by teachers at middle schools or counselors, IBM female volunteers run a one-week day camp designed to spark interest in math and science with middle-school girls to position them for future careers in these fields.
Since its inception in 1999, more than 4,000 girls have participated in EX.I.T.E (EXploring Interests in Technology and Engineering). Camps in more than 30 countries around the world and, following their experience, approximately 85 percent said they would pursue an engineering or technical-related degree when they go to college.
EXITE Camp participants are nominated by counselors and teachers at middle schools that have an established relationship with IBM through such community outreach programs as Reinventing Education or MentorPlace, a global program where students receive online academic assistance and career counseling by IBM volunteers. At the conclusion of the EXITE Camps, the girls will take part in the MentorPlace program by being paired with IBM employees who will mentor them during the school year.
Student volunteer Sarika Mendu, right center, center, helps 14 year old Suneet Sandhu, left, center, design a web page during an activity in the E.X.I.T.E. camp held at IBM RTP
IBM MentorPlace (www.mentorplace.org ) – through this corporate volunteer program, IBM employees around the world provide students with online academic assistance and career counseling, while letting them know that adults do care about their issues and concerns. Participants communicate and collaborate using a secure online Web-based tool available in five languages. More than 6,000 IBMers and 7,000 students in 38 countries have participated in the program.
11 year old Aribah Shah designs a web page during an activity in the E.X.I.T.E. camp held at IBM RTP
PowerUp – a free multiplayer online game (www.powerupthegame.org ), developed by IBM to challenge teenagers to help save the planet “Helios” from ecological disaster. It is available for download in the classroom or at home, and is part of IBM’s TryScience initiative and was launched at Engineer’s Week 2008. As chair of this year’s Engineer’s Week, an annual effort to promote engineering careers to students across the world, IBM devised the 3D virtual game to engage kids and educators in engineering, energy, and diversity awareness. PowerUp aims to use the interest in fantasy virtual worlds to encourage kids to learn about engineering principles by riding over rugged mountains in buggies to build solar towers or searching through grim junk yards to repair wind turbines. They will also learn about energy conservation by the choices they make in completing their missions. The game also features non-player characters that represent a diverse cross section of the population, providing role models to encourage every young person to consider a career in engineering and acting as guides for the game. Teacher classroom curriculum is also provided.
Partnering with IBM in Education (PIE) – to encourage Hispanic students at the elementary, middle and high school levels to consider careers in science, technology and engineering and mathematics (STEM), this program provides resources to schools in support of activities and programs like eWeek, Hispanic Heritage Month, career days, TryScience, MentorPlace. Uses IBM’s MentorPlace program to enable professional mentors, university students, and K-12 students to engage in a three-way cascading mentoring relationship.
TryScience (www.tryscience.org ) – a collaboration of the New York Hall of Science, IBM, and the more than 500 member institutions of the Association of Science-Technology Centers, opens a world of discovery to students by providing online interactive exhibits, multimedia adventures, and live camera “field trips,” as well as hands-on science projects that children, parents, and teachers can do at home or in school. The site is available in nine languages (including Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish), and a kiosk version has been donated to over 175 science centers and museums in over 30 countries.