Phoenix, Ariz., May 24, 2016 On Tuesday, the APS Foundation announced that through its current partnership with MIND Research Institute it will be expanding MIND’s ST Math program to six additional schools in the Phoenix area. The expansion is funded by APS Foundation’s $200,000 grant to MIND Research Institute, announced at a celebration event at SySTEM Phoenix. The grant enables Osborn School District to implement ST Math district-wide starting in the 2016-17 school year, including the campuses of Clarendon Elementary, Encanto Elementary, Longview Elementary, Solano Elementary and Osborn Middle School. Additionally, the grant expands the program to Navajo Elementary in Scottsdale Unified School District.
ST Math is a game-based instructional software program designed to boost math comprehension and proficiency through visual learning. The partnership with APS provides this innovative program to low-income students throughout Arizona, and provides teacher training that supports this visual approach that deepens students' problem-solving skills and mathematical knowledge.
“It is critical that we prepare Arizona students with the needed math skills to compete in the global economy,” said Tina Marie Tentori, Executive Director of the APS Foundation. “The APS Foundation is pleased to partner with MIND Research, Osborn School District and Navajo Elementary to expand student access to a program which has proven to improve math proficiency and problem solving skills.”
Thanks to partnerships with philanthropic organizations and schools, over 17,000 students across Arizona currently use MIND’s ST Math. In an analysis conducted by MIND Research Institute on state math proficiency test scores, Arizona schools using ST Math achieved double their growth in math proficiency.
“Our philanthropic partners are key to expanding access to ST Math for thousands of students and teachers across the country,” said Matthew Peterson, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO, MIND Research Institute. “We’re proud to partner with APS Foundation and our education partners in Arizona to provide students with the mathematical knowledge and problem-solving abilities needed for success.”
A short presentation was given by Clarendon Elementary teachers and students about how the software helps them teach and learn math in a visual way to the guests and local education influencers at the event.. Attendees were also treated to a special appearance by JiJi, the life-sized version of the penguin featured in the ST Math software games.
About MIND Research Institute
MIND Research Institute is a neuroscience and education social benefit organization, dedicated to ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the world’s most challenging problems. MIND's distinctive visual approach to math and problem-solving is the basis of its innovative, research-proven ST Math® programs for elementary and secondary schools. The visually-based ST Math program has been shown to double or triple schools’ growth rates in math proficiency. Through its MathMINDs movement, MIND engages the community in hands-on mathematical experiences outside of the classroom in an effort to shift the cultural perception of math from being scary and frustrating to exciting and essential. MIND's programs currently reach one million students and 39,000 teachers at 3,100 schools in 43 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.mindresearch.org.
About APS Foundation
The APS Foundation is committed to making a deep impact in Arizona communities and does so through supporting statewide nonprofits that advance knowledge in the field of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. The Foundation supports a wide range of educational initiatives that target both students and teachers in order to keep the next generation of Arizona’s workforce strong and competitive.
Privately endowed by Pinnacle West Capital Corp. in 1981 as an independent 501(c) (3) organization, the APS Foundation distributes an average of $1.5 – $2 million per year through a bi-annual grant process. Since its inception, it has invested more than $38 million in Arizona nonprofits. Tina Marie Tentori serves as Executive Director for the APS Foundation. For more information, please visit www.aps.com/corporategiving and click on the Foundation link.
Media contacts:
Abby Daniels
MIND Research Institute
949-345-8637
adaniels@mindresearch.org
Brian O’Malley
GCJ Public Relations
bomalley@gcjpr.com
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