Funded through a $5 million grant from Raytheon Company, the Center is designed to inspire children to explore science, technology, engineering, and math fields
Press Release
Atlanta, GA – February 13, 2018 – To serve as an inspiring backdrop for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programming for children of military families, Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii will open a Center of Innovation on Tuesday, February 27 at its Hale Pono Ewa Beach Clubhouse with support from Raytheon, a defense and cybersecurity leader.
The Center is the first of its kind on the Hawaiian Islands. To date 11 Centers of Innovations have opened in the continental U.S. and one abroad in Germany. In addition to the Hale Pono Ewa Beach Clubhouse, two more Centers of Innovation are expected to open this year. Each Center of Innovation will provide military youth access to advanced technologies to stimulate creative approaches to STEM exploration that include 3D printing design and a variety of engineering and computer programming challenges.
A full-time STEM expert will offer individual and group support, using real-world applications to help Youth Program participants develop their STEM skills and critical thinking. Employment in STEM occupations are projected to grow by 8.9 percent from 2014 to 2024, compared to 6.4 percent growth for non- STEM occupations, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“It’s essential that our members get the resources and tools they need to educate and explore new opportunities, especially in such a fast-growing field like STEM,” said Tim Motts, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii. “With this new Center of Innovation from Raytheon, we’ll be able to provide our youth with the skills they need to achieve their goals, whether that is to pursue STEM-based careers or explore other opportunities.”
Raytheon’s $5 million multi-year commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of America is part of the company’s $10 million pledge to support military families and veterans. Pam Erickson, Raytheon’s Vice President of Global Branding and Citizenship said: “Military families go where they are needed, when they are needed. Raytheon’s goal is to provide their children with an environment to foster their creative and learning passions. Supporting military families is our responsibility; inspiring the military child is our privilege.”
On Tuesday, February 27 from 4:00pm to 6:30pm the Hale Pono Ewa Beach Clubhouse (91-884 Fort Weaver Rd Suite A, Ewa Beach, HI 96706) will host a Center of Innovation grand opening event and ribbon cutting ceremony. Activities at the event will include a DIY STEM project of catapult building along with an opportunity to make paper circuit boards.
To date, 11 Center of Innovation locations in the United States and one abroad have been opened:
For 26 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has partnered with every branch of the U.S. military and serves 480,000 school-age military youth around the world. Through the affiliated Youth Centers available on nearly every U.S. military installation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America aims to provide a steady presence in military children’s lives.
About Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii
Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii (BGCH) is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring Hawaii's youth to become responsible citizens. BGCH currently operates nine sites on Oahu and Kauai, where BGCH members can access a multitude of programs and services. Guided by the framework of the Formula for Impact, youth ages 7-17 become involved in programs that support a commitment to learning, positive values, healthy habits and high expectations for success as an adult. The Club provides ongoing relationships with caring mentors and connections to new friends in a positive environment, reinforcing a sense of belonging, personal accountability, civility and civic responsibility. BGCH is an affiliate of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and has been operating in Hawaii since 1976. The organization touches the lives of over 14,000 youth each year, many from disadvantaged circumstances. For more information, please visit http://www.bgch.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,300 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at Facebook and Twitter.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2017 sales of $25 billion and 64,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 96 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. Follow us on Twitter.
Shannon Ross
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
404-702-3623
sross@agencymsi.com
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