The Lancaster Science Factory and the Motorola Foundation Partner to Inspire Tomorrows Innovators

The Lancaster Science Factory Awarded Innovation Generation Grant

Lancaster, PA - June 25, 2009 -The Lancaster Science Factory, a hands-on, interactive learning center for kids, today announced it has received a $10,700 Innovation Generation grant from the Motorola Foundation. This grant will allow the Lancaster Science Factory to provide interactive physics experiences to Lancaster County children in grades 3-8 through its four one-week summer camps. During these camps, students will experiment in the Castagna Learning Center to gain a better understanding of physics concepts.

The Motorola Foundation's Innovation Generation grants support programs that engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to build the confidence and skills they need for success both now and in the long-term. In 2009, the Motorola Foundation is providing $5 million in grants to support out-of-school programming, teacher training, curriculum development and other programs that spark students' interest in STEM.

The Lancaster Science Factory Summer Physics Camp will take place on June 29-July 3 (Grades 3-5), July 20-July 24 (Grades 6-8), July 27-July 31 (Grades 3-5) and August 17- August 21 (Grades 6-8). Students will engage in activities on force and motion and will become familiar with the scientific process. Through the Innovation Generation grant, the majority of Physics Camp participants will be given scholarships to offset the cost of registration fees.

"The Motorola Foundation Innovation Generation grant will allow Lancaster County children a chance to get down and dirty with hands-on science and run their own experiments with meaningful results," says Erich Goldstein, Director of Programs and Education. "By doing science, not reading or studying science, but doing it, these kids will develop scientific reasoning and confidence that they might not otherwise."

Through the reinforcement of scientific concepts and skills taught during the school day, the Lancaster Science Factory is working with the Motorola Foundation to increase access to STEM education and equip students for successful futures. Introducing students to the real-world application of concepts they learn in the classroom strengthens problem-solving skills, increases knowledge retention and opens their eyes to the possibilities associated with pursuing careers in those fields.

"This grant reinforces the mission and vision of the Lancaster Science Factory to assist in providing all children with the necessary knowledge and skills to have successful careers, be good citizens, and achieve their greatest potential," says Janet Stone, Director of Operations. "We are thrilled to receive acknowledgement and support of our work through grants such as this."

"Innovation Generation programs make science and math both real and fun for today's students, bringing to life what they hear from their teachers every day," said Eileen Sweeney, director of the Motorola Foundation. "The work the Lancaster Science Factory is doing to engage students in these subjects will help our next generation to succeed in a global, knowledge-based economy where critical thinking is no longer just a benefit, but a necessity."

This year, Motorola will convene its grantees at the first annual Innovation Generation Conference. The Lancaster Science Factory will join dozens of other grantees to share best practices and cultivate the collaborative learning environment necessary to harness students' curiosity about STEM.

To learn more about the Motorola Foundation's Innovation Generation grants please visit www.motorola.com/giving. For additional information on the Lancaster Science Factory Summer Physics Camp please contact Erich Goldstein, Director of Programs and Education, at 717-509-6387 or education@tlsf.org.

About The Lancaster Science Factory

The mission of the Lancaster Science Factory is to create an environment for learning which helps children develop curiosity, think creatively and build confidence as they learn the principles of science and the application of science in engineering and technology. Highly interactive exhibits, workstations and mini-labs will offer "open-ended" learning experiences with opportunities for visitors to experiment and create. The Lancaster Science Factory will actively seek to make the Science Factory accessible to all the young people in the community.

About the Motorola Foundation

The Motorola Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola. With employees located around the globe, Motorola seeks to benefit the communities where it operates. The company achieves this by making strategic grants, forging strong community partnerships, fostering innovation and engaging stakeholders. The Motorola Foundation focuses its funding on education, especially science, technology, engineering and math programming. For more information, on Motorola Corporate and Foundation giving, visit www.motorola.com/giving.

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