ORLANDO, FL (January 3, 2012) – Fifty-five students at Edgewater High School will have the opportunity to learn and apply STEM skills beyond the classroom through an Innovation Generation grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions Inc. The Motorola Solutions Foundation provided $50,000 to challenge Florida’s district-wide local education foundations to inspire students through projects designed to help them solve real-world problems in science, math, technology and engineering (STEM) areas this school year through a grant to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations(CFEF).

 

The Foundation for OCPS’s project was one of 11 chosen to receive $4,750 through a competitive judging process where 20 proposed projects were reviewed and scored by a panel of STEM industry professionals through CFEF.

 

Edgewater High School Students enrolled in a Computer Animation and Robotics course will work in teams to build Lego Mindstorm Robots that will complete advanced tasks while incorporating sounds and expressions. Students will learn how computer animators bring life to robots and the real-world applications robotics has in business. Students also will benefit from the expertise of an industry professional from Dynamic Animation Systems who will guide and mentors the teams during weekly visits.

 

"The future of American innovation depends on a diverse pipeline of critical thinkers who are well versed in STEM principles,” said Matt Blakely, director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. "Through the Innovation Generation program, we are thrilled to partner with programs like CFEF and their member education foundations in Florida to provide students and teachers with the necessary tools to explore their STEM interests and pursue innovation.”

 

Established in 1987, the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, Inc. is a non-profit organization that develops and focuses community resources to make a meaningful difference in the success of Orange County Public School students and teachers. The organization serves the 10th largest public school system in the nation, supporting more than 180,000 students, approximately 13,000 teachers and 182 schools in the county. For more information, visit www.foundationforocps.org or call 407-317-3261.

 

CFEF is the membership organization for Florida’s school district-wide local education foundations. Established in 1987, CFEF seeks to advance student achievement in Florida by increasing private sector investment and involvement in public education. CFEF now has 55 member foundations with 1,100 business and community leaders serving as volunteer board members. Collectively, they raise $40 Million annually to support students, teachers and schools through a variety of programs. CFEF has provided more than $20 Million to local education foundations since 2002 through various private and public sector partnerships, including the State of Florida School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program.

 

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