Austin, TX, Jun 18, 2013 Hyundai Motor America and the nonprofit MIND Research Institute today announced a partnership aimed at improving math education for thousands of high-need elementary school students across the country. The two organizations launched the Hyundai ST Math Initiative at the US News STEM Solutions national conference in Austin, Texas.
Beginning this fall, the initiative will benefit 6,000 students and 200 teachers in New York, Chicago, Spring, Texas and Pinellas, Florida. Hyundai will offer grants to 15 low-income, high-needs elementary schools in these regions to provide access to the proven ST Math instructional software, teacher training and ongoing educational support from MIND Research.
“Hyundai, and indeed our nation, needs problem-solvers who can develop innovative solutions to difficult challenges,” said Zafar Brooks, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity Inclusion at Hyundai Motor America. “That’s exactly what we’re training students to do with MIND Research Institute’s ST Math program.”
Early math skills have been proven to be the greatest predictor of later academic success and high school graduation– a primary focus of Hyundai’s charitable investments. Hyundai hopes to expand the program to other schools in the future.
“The MIND Research Institute has proven its mettle by meeting the high bar for STEM programs set by our rigorous evaluations,” said Linda P. Rosen, CEO of Change the Equation. “What’s more, it’s gratifying to see corporations using resources like our STEMworks database to get behind programs that are making a real difference in helping children learn math.”
This new partnership builds on Hyundai’s support of MIND Research over the last three years, when they have brought ST Math to six schools in Los Angeles, Orange County, Calif., and Washington, D.C. Students and teachers using the ST Math program have on average doubled students’ growth in math proficiency on state math tests.
“We’re honored that Hyundai is expanding its strategic partnership with MIND Research Institute and bringing game-changing math education program to many more students from impoverished backgrounds,” said Andrew R. Coulson, president of MIND’s Education Division. “By strengthening children’s early foundation of math skills and problem-solving, they are developing tomorrow’s creative, innovative and mathematically fluent workforce.”
The ST Math instructional software introduces math concepts via visual puzzles, with symbols and words appearing later, making the program equally accessible and challenging for all students, regardless of language proficiency. Following a blended learning model, students learn at their own pace with ST Math in computer labs, then their teachers connect the puzzles to math concepts in the classroom lessons.
About Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care that provides Hyundai owners with proactive safety and car care services made possible by the Hyundai Blue Link telematics platform, complimentary for three years. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling. For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com.
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