32 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 Full STEAM Ahead Expansion of IGT’s flagship After School Advantage program continued this year, giving more students access to technology and encouraging interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). To help young people develop the knowledge and skills they’ll need for the jobs of tomorrow, IGT is committed to providing technology resources and promoting STEAM education. For more than 25 years, the company’s After School Advantage (ASA) program has advanced such educational opportunities through digital learning centers in communities where IGT operates. Each ASA digital learning center is completely unique, catering to the specific needs of the organization receiving the donation and the community it supports. Over the years, the program has provided significant learning resources to open up career paths and future opportunities for thousands of individuals. Highlights of IGT’s ASA activities in 2024: USA: New York Since 2018, the organization Rise High has expanded educational opportunities for young people in Schenectady, NY, by offering engaging learning programs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Originally serving one cohort of 20 sixth-grade students, the program has expanded to support five cohorts of more than 80 students in grades 6 to 12. IGT’s donation in 2024 will help to enable further growth as the program adds a sixth cohort in the fall, with a seventh planned for January 2025. IGT’s donation includes 15 Lenovo 16” Multi-Touch Thinkbooks and 18 Acer 14” 128GB Chromebooks, which will allow Rise High to expand its impact, making a tangible difference in the students’ academic and professional futures. As part of its commitment to empowering underserved communities, Mission Fulfilled 2030 of Rochester, NY, provides access to highquality education, fosters innovation, and inspires the next generation of leaders. Through hands-on training in coding, STEM, and entrepreneurship, the organization’s Youth Tech Entrepreneurs Program encourages creativity and critical thinking. Graduates have gone on to launch successful startups, pursue higher education in STEM fields, and become leaders in their communities. IGT’s donation of technology equipment, including Lenovo gaming desktops, Acer Chromebooks, and smart TVs, will equip the Youth Tech Entrepreneurs Program to provide local students with the tools and skills needed to advance their educational journeys.
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