Techbridge Expands Award-Winning Girls’ Science, Technology and Engineering Program to Greater Seattle
Highline Public Schools Selected as First District
MEDIA ALERT
Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Pauley Hodges, 425.528.2419, ehodges@techbridgegirls.org
Renton, WA, October 6, 2014 – Techbridge, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring girls in science, technology and engineering, has selected the greater Seattle region as the first site of its national expansion and Highline Public Schools as its first school district.
Beginning this month, Techbridge will engage up to 200 girls in grades 5-8 in science, technology and engineering through hands-on activities, role models and career exploration at seven Highline schools. Partner Schools include five elementary schools: Beverly Park, Hazel Valley, Madrona, McMicken Heights, and Mount View as well as two middle schools: Chinook and Sylvester.
Elizabeth Pauley Hodges, Greater Seattle Executive Director, said, “I am thrilled to be part of an organization that truly inspires and empowers girls through science, technology and engineering. We are very excited to partner with Highline Public Schools and give girls at our partner sites the opportunity to benefit from the high quality programming Techbridge provides.”
This expansion was made possible by a five-year $2.7 million grant from the National Science Foundation to bring Techbridge’s award-winning after-school program to three cities across the U.S.
“We welcome the opportunity to partner with Techbridge to inspire our girls to become tomorrow’s scientists and engineers,” said Highline Superintendent Susan Enfield. “Techbridge is one more way we are supporting our goal for 19 out of 20 of today’s first graders to graduate tech-savvy and tech-literate.”
For the past 14 years, Techbridge after-school programs have served more than 5,000 girls in grades 5-12 and focus on underrepresented communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, primarily in Oakland and San Jose.
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About Techbridge: The mission of Techbridge is to empower girls to realize their dreams through science, technology and engineering. Its innovative after-school and summer programs inspire 5th through 12th grade girls from underserved communities to change the world, providing girls with hands-on projects and career exploration through curriculum, role models, and field trips. Techbridge girls also build confidence, problem-solving skills, perseverance, and public speaking abilities that will serve them well in any career. Techbridge’s holistic approach gives girls a strong support network that includes their peers, teachers, families, and role models. Through its national professional development efforts, Techbridge has reached over 15,000 adults through trainings and resources for role models, educators and families.
About Highline Public Schools: Highline Public Schools serves over 19,000 students K-12 in Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac and White Center in Washington State. The district has 39 schools, employs over 2,000 staff members, and offers a wide variety of educational opportunities from early childhood to college preparation. HPS is committed to equity in education, high expectations for all, and partnering with families and the community to ensure that all children achieve their potential.