Nearly 150 Girl Scouts and Motorola engineers
conduct science experiments at Motorola Innovation Centre in Schaumburg, Ill.
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – 19 February 2007 – Today Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) female
engineers and Chief Technology Officer Padmasree Warrior celebrated “Introduce
a Girl to Engineering Day” with nearly 150 Girl Scouts. The engineers conducted
science experiments with the girls and told stories about their careers, which
sparked inspiring discussion among the girls. The event is part of Motorola’s
larger initiative to attract U.S. children to science and foster innovation at
an early age. It marks the start of National Engineers Week (Feb. 19 – 23).
“U.S. children are performing below their international peers in science
education, yet professional demands for science and engineering skills is
expected to significantly increase,” said Warrior. “Through hands-on mentorship
and interactive experiences, we are trying to strengthen children’s excitement
and engagement with science and technology.”
Also today, the Motorola Foundation presented a $200,000 grant to the Girl
Scouts of the USA to support its “Design and Discovery” and LEGO Robotics
initiatives. Both programs helps girls understand the role of engineering and
design in producing effective solutions to real-world problems and
work hand in hand to increase the pipeline of girls ages 9-16 in
design, engineering and technology.
“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Motorola, and our funding
aims to foster innovation for future generations,” said Eileen Sweeney,
director, Motorola Foundation. “We are celebrating the spirit of discovery and
providing programs that encourage our children, especially girls, to embrace
careers in math and science.”
The Motorola Foundation has a track record of supporting similar programs.
Since 2000, the foundation has contributed more than $32 million in grants to
education, focusing on programs that help students – especially girls and
underrepresented minorities – develop a passion for science and spur tomorrow’s
breakthrough ideas.
Motorola’s 25,000 engineers create breakthrough solutions that drive innovation
worldwide. The company has 21,000 patents and was awarded the National Medal of
Technology in 2004.
About Girl Scouts of the USA
Girl Scouts of the USA is the pre-eminent organization for and leading
authority on girls with 3.7 million girl and adult members. Now in its 95th
year, Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make
the world a better place. The organization strives to serve girls from every
corner of the United States and its territories. Girls Scouts of the USA also
serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international
schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join,
volunteer, or donate to the Girl Scouts, call
(800) GSUSA 4 U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org.
About the Motorola Foundation
The Motorola Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of
Motorola. With 70,000 employees globally, Motorola seeks to benefit the
communities where it operates. The company achieves this by making strategic
grants, forging strong community partnerships, fostering innovation and
engaging stakeholders. The Motorola Foundation focuses it’s funding on
education, especially science, technology, engineering and math programming.
For more information, on Motorola Corporate and Foundation giving, visit www.motorola.com/giving.
Source: Motorola press release
