CUNY Early Care Centers Receive IBM Computer Learning Systems

Fourteen early learning centers in the City University of New York system are receiving $135,000 in computer hardware, software, and furnishings to help support STEM programs serving disadvantaged students.

The awards are being provided through a $4.3 million IBM KidSmart initiative, whose aim is to provide support to a total of 1,700 schools and nonprofits in the United States this year through donations of computer learning systems. The Young Explorer computer learning systems include a computer housed in "brightly colored, child-friendly furniture" from Little Tikes, along with educational software for English and Spanish speakers focused on math, science, and language arts.

CUNY's early learning centers will receive 50 such systems.

"We provide considerable support to students pursuing math, science, engineering and science degrees," said Borough of Manhattan Community College President Antonio Pérez in a prepared statement. "These include our L-SAMP and S-STEM projects, Cleo and Zack Scholarships, the STEM scholars Title V program, our Math Tutoring services, and Science Learning Center. Now, thanks to this donation of IBM Young Explorer computers, we are better able to provide math and science support to the children of our students, as well."

BMCC, part of the CUNY system, serves 24,000 undergrads and 12,000 continuing education students. Its Early Childhood Center serves children (aged 2 to 5) whose parents or legal guardians are BMCC students. All told, CUNY early childhood programs serve about 2,400 children, according to information on CUNY's site.

"Research shows that access to these specially designed computer learning centers will improve the math, science and language skills of children in CUNY's child care centers in a fun, interactive way," said Stanley S. Litow, vice president of corporate citizenship and corporate affairs at IBM.

The CUNY awards will be presented formally at a ceremony to be held tomorrow at BMCC.

Last month, 75 Young Explorer systems were awarded to schools in Newark, NJ as part of the same initiative. Since the program began in 1998, IBM has donated some 60,000 Young Explorer systems to schools and nonprofits in 60 countries, totaling about $133 million.

Additional details about IBM's grant programs can be found on the company's corporate responsibility portal.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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