Citizen Schools is pleased to announce a grant from the Google-advised fund at the Tides Foundation aimed at connecting more middle school students with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals and increasing the pipeline of traditionally underrepresented minorities and girls pursuing careers in STEM fields.  Over the past four years, nearly 200 Google employees in California, New York, and Massachusetts have volunteered to lead more than 80 apprenticeship courses, focused primarily on the STEM fields, through Citizen Schools.  This fall alone, more than 60 Google employees are teaching nearly twenty apprenticeships ranging from animation to robotics to computer game design.  In addition, Google has representation on various Citizen Schools advisory boards, including a National Science and Technology Advisory Committee.

Google's national support will include employee volunteer, monetary and in-kind support.  This support will enable Citizen Schools to increase the number of STEM apprenticeships taught this year to 30% of the total number of apprenticeships taught by all Citizen Schools volunteers across the country.  In addition, Citizen Schools will develop new STEM apprenticeship curricula aligned with national learning standards, as well as increase staff training and curriculum development focused on academic skill building in math.  The investment will also support Citizen Schools' STEM evaluation projects.   

"Citizen Schools is thrilled to welcome additional Google support.  Google's volunteers infuse relevance, spark new interests, and inspire motivation for our students," said Eric Schwarz, Citizen Schools Co-founder and CEO. "Google's investment in helping us expand our work with STEM professionals is especially important as the country looks for solutions to the challenges we are facing with science and math education."

"Google employees have naturally gravitated to the Citizen Schools model of hands on education outside of the classroom," said Matt Dunne, Head of Community Affairs for Google.  "We are delighted to provide additional financial support to strengthen the organization's ability to leverage more IT professionals to expand achievement in science, technology, engineering and math."

Watch apprentices in a Google apprenticeship in action.