"STEM in the Schoolyard" celebrates the path to college

Texas Instruments and Family Giving Tree promote STEM at student event

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Jul 09, 2013, 02:52 ET

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN) and Family Giving Tree will host "STEM in the Schoolyard" for Downtown College Prep (DCP) students on Friday, July 19. The event marks the culmination of the Downtown College Prep Alum Rock's Summer Bridge Program for incoming, low-income 6^th grade students. Held at the Santa Clara University Recital Hall, the afternoon event for the students and their families will include inspiring presentations by elected officials, hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities, followed by a reception. Each student, the first in their family to go to college, will be outfitted for the new school year with a supply-filled backpack from Family Giving Tree and TI-30XS MultiView™ scientific calculators donated by TI.

Elected officials, as well as leaders from the participating organizations, will discuss the importance of collaboration between government, business, community and education to engage students in STEM education and provide all students with the tools they need to succeed.

"We all agree that education plays a significant role in breaking the cycle of poverty in our communities," said Dave Heacock, Senior Vice President and Manager of TI Silicon Valley Analog. "We are committed to STEM education and helping ensure that under-represented students have the resources and support to succeed in STEM subjects." TI is also providing the DCP math department with TI-Nspire Teacher Software, class sets of the TI-Nspire™ CX Technology and professional development for the teachers to effectively integrate the technology into the Mathematical Practices of the Common Core State Standards.

At the "STEM in the Schoolyard" event, the students will experience hands-on activities including using chromatography to design bandanas, experimenting with dry ice and learning about liquid nitrogen and the effects of superconductivity on liquids and gasses. During the closing ceremony, each student will be presented with a new backpack filled with the learning tools they will need to succeed in the new school year.

"With the right tools, mindset and support from the community, DCP students prevail in their pursuit of a college education. We're proud to partner with TI and Family Giving Tree to launch our students on the college path," said Jennifer Andaluz, Co-founder and Executive Director for Downtown College Prep.

"All of the students we will honor on July 19^th are the first in their families to be college bound," added Jennifer Cullenbine, Founder and CEO for Family Giving Tree. "Imagine what it means to them to be well prepared to pursue their dreams and create a better life. We are thrilled to play a small part in their future success."

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) is a global semiconductor design and manufacturing company that develops analog ICs and embedded processors. By employing the world's brightest minds, TI creates innovations that shape the future of technology. TI is helping more than 100,000 customers transform the future, today. Learn more at www.ti.com.

About Family Giving Tree

The nonprofit organization's Holiday Wish and Back to School Drives served their One Millionth Child in 2012, making Family Giving Tree one of the largest gift and backpack donation programs in California. The organization, the largest of its kind in California that prequalifies recipients for need, began in 1990 in a San Jose State University MBA class. Jennifer Cullenbine and Todd Yoshida created the Family Giving Tree with the hope of providing holiday gifts to 300 children in East Palo Alto, Calif. Encouraged by a successful first year, Cullenbine continued and expanded the organization. In 1996, the licensed 501(c) (3) nonprofit began its Back to School Drive, which has since delivered 150,000 backpacks to low-income children. Learn more at www.familygivingtree.org.

About Downtown College Prep (DCP)

DCP prepares students who will be the first in their families to go to college to thrive at four-year universities. DCP has a singular goal for every student: DCP graduates will enroll in and graduate from a four-year university. Students and families choose DCP because they seek an academic environment where they will be challenged and supported to achieve high academic standards. Students often overcome years of academic struggle as they learn new habits of learning and develop the confidence to pursue the dream of college success. DCP students achieve high rates of college acceptance, enrollment and graduation, and serve as pioneers in their families and neighborhoods. Learn more at www.dcp.org.

Trademarks

MultiView and TI-Nspire are trademarks of Texas Instruments. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated