GenTech, a community tech hub that provides personal tech support and STEM education programming, has launched the GenTech Foundation to bring its KidsTech program to more Valley schools, bridging the STEM education divide among students and allowing more kids the opportunity to explore their interest in technology. As part of its launch, the foundation has partnered with the City of Phoenix District 7 office to provide $10,000 in funding to the Murphy School District, which will bring GenTech’s award-winning KidsTech program to Kuban Elementary for the 2024/2025 school year.
The GenTech Foundation is a 501C(3) nonprofit supported by private and corporate funding, with a mission of providing schools with funds and partnerships to help bridge the economic gap to implement STEM programs. The Foundation was founded by GenTech CEO Debbie Kovesdy who launched GenTech after more than 20 years of being an educator at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix.
“We want every student to have access to high-quality, cutting-edge STEM education, and with the launch of the foundation we hope to ease the financial and staffing pressures on schools to make that a reality across Arizona,” said Dalton Abbit, President of GenTech Foundation. “Our KidsTech programs bring top educators into the classroom to teach the latest in technology – from robotics to coding – preparing students for the growing number of STEM career opportunities available in our increasingly tech-focused world.”
GenTech’s KidTech program is currently providing industry-standard STEM education in over 300 classrooms and community centers throughout the Valley, giving schools a cost-effective and sustainable approach to teaching critical STEM skills. GenTech instructors are technology proficient college students studying engineering, programming, info tech, cybersecurity and computer science, allowing them to teach the latest in technology with GenTech’s custom-designed STEM programs and top-quality, current materials.
“Robotics and STEM education is arriving at Kuban Elementary this school year and I couldn’t be more excited,” said Councilman Carlos Galindo-Elvira. “Through math and science, students will collaborate, problem solve and create not just robots, but opportunities and interests for their future. This public private partnership with GenTech and my office is an example of how private industry can support local needs in cultivating a future workforce. It all starts this fall in west Phoenix!”
“We are excited to be working with GenTech this year,” said Murphy Elementary School District superintendent Nate Dettmar. “We know that technology is our future, and this partnership will help us provide our students with the skills necessary to be successful in our ever-changing world. We are extremely appreciative to Councilman Galindo and his staff as well as all others involved in bringing this program to our campus. We are ready for a great school year.”
The $10,000 grant provided by the GenTech Foundation and the City of Phoenix District 7 office will fund three hours of GenTech’s KidsTech program at Kuban Elementary each week, which will include custom curriculum taught by a highly trained GenTech instructor as well as access to materials, including $20,000 in robotics equipment.
“We encourage companies in STEM industries, education advocates, parents, and community members to join us in making technology education accessible to all Arizona students through the GenTech Foundation,” said Kovesdy. “Each donation will be a step forward in preparing students for careers in science, math and engineering, and we look forward to providing that critical education.”
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