emPOWERing Girls to Pursue STEM

Peshine Avenue Elementary erupted into cheers, applause and high-fives as Samsung surprised students and faculty with a $50,000 technology grant to enhance and increase science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning at the New Jersey school.

The good news came at the end of a very happy occasion: the graduation ceremony honoring the young ladies who had completed a pilot program called emPOWER Tomorrow, which aims to inspire fourth- and fifth-grade girls to pursue careers in engineering and computer science through role models and hands-on activities.

Designed to introduce students to the people, technologies and processes behind the software and hardware that power their daily experiences, emPOWER Tomorrow was first piloted at the Miller Street School in Newark, N.J., in the spring of 2014, then at Peshine Avenue Elementary School in the fall. Peshine’s December graduation ceremony was made especially notable, not only by the surprise grant, but also by honored attendees such as U.S. Senator Cory Booker.

“The United States must lead the globe in technology research and development, and we can’t do that if we don’t train and attract the best engineers, scientists, and researchers,” said Booker. “STEM education in America is falling behind other nations, but engagement from the private sector, like we’re seeing today from Samsung’s announcement, is helping to turn that tide as we work to prioritize federal investment.”
emPOWER Tomorrow is part of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow initiative which aims to engage students nationwide in active, hands-on STEM learning. The program is one of several that Samsung supports in the U.S. to engage the next generation of female leaders in STEM subjects and careers.

“At Samsung, we believe that engaging youth in science, technology, engineering and math is critical to ensuring that tomorrow’s leaders are interested in and prepared for some of the careers that lie ahead,” said Samsung Executive Vice President David Steel. “We have seen tremendous results from the emPOWER Tomorrow pilot programs, and we’re looking forward to watching Peshine Avenue Elementary School continue to build on that success.”

In addition to Newark, emPOWER Tomorrow has now expanded in 2015 with programs across the U.S. in New York City, Chicago, Sacramento and Los Angeles.