The Tech Museum of Innovation announces partnership with the Sharks Foundation and SAP
Four-year program will give more low-income students access to sports-themed STEM education activities.
March 4, 2016, San Jose, Calif.-- The Sharks Foundation and SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) are teaming up with The Tech Museum of Innovation to bring STEM education to more low-income students.
The four-year partnership will kick off in March with Sharks and SAP Field Trip Days, when thousands of students from Title I schools will spend a day enjoying The Tech’s interactive exhibits and hands-on science lab. Sharks players are expected to be on hand for the field trips, the first of which will be Friday, March 4, as well as volunteers from Sharks Sports & Entertainment and SAP.
“We are thrilled to partner with SAP and The Tech to support an initiative that provides Bay Area youth with the opportunity to experience technology in a fun and interactive way ,” said Heather Hooper, Sharks Foundation Manager. “It is crucial that every child has access to STEM education and that they can visualize themselves as future leaders whether playing ice hockey or in the field of engineering.”
As part of the partnership, The Tech will also create sports-themed design challenge activities and host community events highlighting athletics and STEM. Two such activities will roll out this fall, when visitors can explore the physics of ice skating and how different materials reduce friction and increase speed, as well as an exercise in rapid prototyping of sports equipment using computer programs, laser cutters and 3D printers.
“There are so many ways to explore how technology can help solve problems. We’re excited to engage kids with engineering concepts through sports and help them discover their inner innovator,” said Prinda Wanakule, The Tech’s educational program manager. More than 400,000 visitors to The Tech every year learn about cyber security in Cyber Detectives, wearable technology in Body Metrics, the engineering design process in Innovations in Health Care and how to creatively solve problems using technology in The Tech Studio.
“We are fully committed to not just prepare the next generation for jobs in technology, but to also inspire them to pursue such careers,” said Kate Morgan, head of corporate social responsibility for North America, SAP. “Programs like this expose youth to the exciting and impactful world of technology.”
The Sharks and SAP Field Trip Days are March 4 and March 30, 2016. A media event announcing the partnership will be at The Tech on March 4 at 9:30 a.m. and feature kids on field trips, current and former Sharks players, and mascot S.J. Sharkie.
Media Inquiries:
Marika E. Krause, The Tech Museum of Innovation, mkrause@thetech.org 408-591-0027
Christopher Putvinski, SAP SE, Christopher,Putvinski@sap.com, +1 -610- 661-3652
Jim Sparaco, Sharks Sports & Entertainment, JSparaco@sharkssports.net 408-999-5792 office; 408-504-3921 cell
Media Inquiries:
Marika E. Krause, The Tech Museum of Innovation, mkrause@thetech.org 408-591-0027
Christopher Putvinski, SAP SE, Christopher,Putvinski@sap.com, +1 -610- 661-3652
Jim Sparaco, Sharks Sports & Entertainment, JSparaco@sharkssports.net 408-999-5792 office; 408-504-3921 cell
About the Sharks Foundation
The Sharks Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the lives of youth and families in our community with an emphasis in the areas of education, health and safety, and character development. The Sharks Foundation was created in 1994 and since then has donated $8.6 million to more than 160 non-profit groups in Santa Clara County including $1.4 million during the 2014-15 season. To learn more about how the Sharks Foundation is helping underserved children and families in the community, visit sharksfoundation.org.
About The Tech Museum of Innovation
The Tech is a hands-on technology and science museum for people of all ages and backgrounds. The museum — located in the Capital of Silicon Valley — is a non-profit experiential learning resource established to engage people in exploring and experiencing applied technologies affecting their lives. Through programs such as The Tech Challenge, our annual team-design competition for youth, and internationally renowned programs such as The Tech Awards, The Tech endeavors to inspire the innovator in everyone.
About SAP
As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device – SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable approximately 300,000 customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com.
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