The Tech Council of Maryland’s TCM Foundation Announces New Programs to Strengthen Local STEM Students

ROCKVILLE, MD – (November 05, 2010) – The Tech Council of Maryland’s TCM Foundation last night unveiled exciting new programs aimed to help local Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students. The announcement came at the Fifth Annual CIO&CTO Live! Awards, where $4,000 was raised to support the foundation. The mission of the TCM Foundation is to generate and disseminate STEM related programs, educational materials and funding to develop the next generation of skilled workers for the region's advanced technology community.

“TCM Foundation is dedicated to strengthening and supporting the Mid-Atlanic Region’s STEM students and their chosen curriculum,” said Gary Gadson, TCM Foundation Chairman. “There is a great need today to ensure that the students who want to study STEM are able to, thus ensuring a continue flow of skilled workers for the future.”

The programs that TCM Foundation will be supporting this year are:

• Scholarships for Community College and Four Year University STEM Students - The TCM Foundation provides those students with scholarships to assist in their studies.
• High School Job Shadowing - Working with local school systems and partnering with like-minded organizations, the TCM Foundation gives students pursuing STEM education job shadowing opportunities with industry professionals in their offices.
• Industry Professionals in Middle Schools - The TCM Foundation provides member company representatives to speak to middle school students about career educational and career goals. The goal is to show students a career path and the many long-term opportunities by pursuing careers in science, technology, math and engineering.
• High School Internships - The Tech Council of Maryland Foundation partners with existing high school internship programs to offer TCM members high school interns for the summer of 2011.
• STEM Summit - The Tech Council of Maryland will host a town-hall meeting between Maryland's educators and students participating in STEM curriculum. Students will share information about what works in STEM education from their perspective. Educators will share why they teach the way they do and how it will prepare the students for future education and careers.

For more information about the TCM Foundation or to get involved please contact Rick Harris at rharris@techcouncilmd.com or 240-243-4070 or go to http://www.tcm-foundation.org

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ABOUT THE TECH COUNCIL OF MARYLAND

The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) is the largest technology trade group serving the advanced technology and biotechnology communities of Maryland. TCM’s mission is to advocate for the interests of the technology community, further the role of technology in the Maryland economy, and nurture an environment where technology companies can collaborate, grow and succeed. For more information, visit www.techcouncilmd.com.