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Still Life

Rockettes rock Jordan Center

Rockettes rock Jordan Center

November 19, 2009

Penn State laureate, School of Music host high school singers

Penn State laureate, School of Music host high school singers

November 18, 2009

Virsky Ukrainian Dance Company performs at Eisenhower

Virsky Ukrainian Dance Company performs at Eisenhower

November 17, 2009

Students to present major Disney production For The Kids

Students to present major Disney production For The Kids

November 16, 2009

Penn State celebrates Senior Day

Penn State celebrates Senior Day

November 14, 2009

Hershey breaks ground for Children's Hospital

Hershey breaks ground for Children's Hospital

November 13, 2009

Kronos Quartet performs at Eisenhower Auditorium

Kronos Quartet performs at Eisenhower Auditorium

November 10, 2009

Rally in the Valley excites fans

Rally in the Valley excites fans

November 6, 2009

Penn State Greeks strut their Broadway stuff

Penn State Greeks strut their Broadway stuff

November 1, 2009

THON 5K draws thousands

THON 5K draws thousands

November 1, 2009

Jazz masters wow audience

Jazz masters wow audience

October 28, 2009

Featured Video

2009 State of the University Address

2009 State of the University Address

Behind the scenes with stadium police

Behind the scenes with stadium police

Poultry science professor shares turkey news

Poultry science professor shares turkey news

Penn State Solar Decathlon 2009, part two: Natural Fusion goes to Washington

Penn State Solar Decathlon 2009, part two: Natural Fusion goes to Washington

Natural Fusion, Penn State's Solar Decathlon Team 2009

Natural Fusion, Penn State's Solar Decathlon Team 2009

Behind the scenes with the stadium concessions team

Behind the scenes with the stadium concessions team

Penn State's creamery, from the cow to the cone

Penn State's creamery, from the cow to the cone

Beaver Stadium Behind the Scenes and On the Air

Beaver Stadium Behind the Scenes and On the Air

Beaver Stadium Behind the Scenes: Video Board

Beaver Stadium Behind the Scenes: Video Board

Video gives students sneak peek at new campus location

Video gives students sneak peek at new campus location

Historic Old Main Bell removed from tower for restoration and display

Historic Old Main Bell removed from tower for restoration and display

GE Foundation gives $230,000 for math initiative

Tuesday, February 10, 2004

University Park, Pa. -- Penn State has launched an innovative collaboration with the Steelton-Highspire School District to increase students’ preparation for and participation in math-based careers, thanks to a three-year, $230,000 grant from the GE Foundation. The goal of the collaboration is to have a long-term, positive impact on the skills, interest and participation of middle school students studying math.

The program, called Math Achievement in a New Technology Context, will aim to teach math skills in the context of real-world applications in engineering, information technology and business. Technology-intensive math curricula will be used to foster increased interest in math and improve standardized test scores. Penn State faculty and staff will provide technical support to 6th through 8th grade teachers and students.

“Our program will target students at a critical time in their lives and education,” said Robert Pangborn, associate dean for undergraduate studies and professor of engineering mechanics. “If we can keep students progressing in math proficiency and aware of the things that math will allow them to do -- how math is applied to solve all kinds of interesting problems -- then they are more likely to be excited by the subject and to eventually pursue higher education and careers in math, science, engineering and other technology-based occupations.”

According to 2002 Pennsylvania statistics, only 52 percent of all 8th grade students were ranked as proficient or advanced in the math portion of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test. The remaining 48 percent did not have sufficent math skills to prepare them for high school math curricula. Steelton-Highspire, located near Harrisburg, was among the Pennsylvania school districts that studies showed had the greatest potential for improvement in math programs.

“The GE Foundation is committed to increasing educational opportunity from pre-college through higher education,” said GE Foundation President Bob Corcoran. “This innovative collaboration will make a significant and sustainable difference in the schools and for these students.”

Previous giving from the GE Foundation to Penn State has included support for programs in the Smeal College of Business and the College of Engineering, and at Penn State New Kensington and Penn State Erie.

The GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, invests in initiatives to improve educational opportunity and strengthen community organizations in GE communities around the world. All told, GE, The GE Foundation and GE employees and retirees contributed more than $120 million to community and educational institutions last year.

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