ATLANTA, Sept. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls
Clubs of America and Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) will open four new STEM
Centers of Innovation on and near military installations nationwide
in 2020. The STEM Centers of Innovation will support
military-connected youth in the following communities:
- Buckley Air Force Base Youth
Programs – Aurora, Colorado
- United States Army Garrison Detroit Child and Youth Services –
Warren, Michigan
- Fort Sill Youth Services – Fort Sill, Oklahoma
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater
Washington – Washington,
D.C.
The addition of the STEM Centers of Innovation in Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma and the District of Columbia marks a total of 22
centers established to keep military youth on the path to great
futures with science, technology, engineering and math learning.
This is a relevant and necessary skillset that is needed to fill
the estimated nine million jobs that will be created in
STEM-related fields by 2020, a statistic provided by the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Change the Equation estimates that
between 2017 and 2027, the number of STEM jobs will grow by 13
percent.
The centers provide military youth with access to advanced
technologies that stimulate creative approaches to STEM
exploration, including 3-D printers, robotics, high-definition
video production and conferencing equipment. A fully dedicated STEM
educator will offer individual and group support, using real-world
applications to help youth program participants develop their STEM
skills and critical thinking.
As a part of Raytheon's $10
million pledge to support military families and veterans,
the STEM Centers of Innovation are fully supported by Raytheon's
$5 million, multi-year commitment to
Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Since 2015, the STEM Centers of
Innovation have served over 4,300 military youth, providing the
necessary skills needed to succeed and make an impact on their
communities.
Military families are unique compared to most families. On
average, military families move six to nine times before their
children graduate high school – about three times more often than
civilian families. Through military-focused programming, Boys &
Girls Clubs of America aims to bring consistency and continuity to
their lives, whether living on or off a military base.
"Boys & Girls Clubs and BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers offer
a safe environment for military-connected kids and teens during
critical out-of-school time," said Jim
Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of
America. "Thanks to Raytheon's continued support, we can introduce
more youth to STEM careers and help them stay on track to graduate
high school with a plan for the future."
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2018 sales of
$27 billion and 67,000 employees, is
a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil
government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of
innovation spanning 97 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art
electronics, mission systems integration, C5ITM 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.
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 4,600
Clubs serve over 4.7 million young people through Club
membership and community outreach. Clubs and BGCA-Affiliated Youth
Programs 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 globally. They provide a safe place, caring
adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth
development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school
hours. Club programs promote 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 on Facebook and Twitter.
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SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America