Best Buy Canada School Tech Grant program awards over $150,000 to secondary schools across Canada

Fourteen schools to receive grants for new computers and digital devices to inspire, motivate and empower students through new tech skills

Announcement Highlights:

• From more than 300 applicants, 14 secondary schools across Canada have been awarded cash grants totaling $150,000
• Recipients will use grants to enhance or integrate technology used in various courses, programs or extracurricular activities

BURNABY, BC, Feb. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Best Buy Canada is proud to announce the 14 secondary schools, selected from more than 300 applicants, to receive a combined $150,000 in funding for tech-based curriculums through the Best Buy School Tech Grant program. From Nunavut to Nova Scotia, the recipient schools will use these grants to give students access to the latest in computer and digital technology to help keep students motivated and focused as they move towards post-secondary education.

"The applications we received clearly illustrate that as school curriculums advance, students and teachers strive to bring new ideas for learning to the classroom, and with these ideas, the need for upgraded or increased technology in classrooms grows," said Andrea MacBeth, Community Relations Manager, Best Buy Canada. "The innovative thinking, approaches to learning, and integration of technology into the school culture demonstrated by each of our winning recipients were key to the success of their grant."

Among this year's recipient list for General Grants is Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School, based in Nunavut, who will use their grant to support student literacy by providing learning opportunities that will allow students to be as successful as their peers while living in a far north locale. With their School Tech Grant, Grade 9 students will gain additional access to essential tools including laptops, e-readers and document cameras, and will be empowered to explore all the diverse and interesting reading materials the literary world has to offer.

The second category of grants, STEM Grants, focused on supporting programs in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math. Grant recipient Blessed Cardinal Newman Catholic High School in Scarborough, ON will use their grant to purchase additional tech needed to introduce students to engineering and coding through robotics. The school will use its School Tech Grant to purchase Boe-Bot Robot kits.  Their robotics program enables the Grade 11 students to mentor Grade 7 students in the neighbouring elementary schools in the basics of robotics. With the additional kits, Grade 9 students will be able to expand their engineering skills and Grade 11 & 12 students will be exposed to the possibilities of a career in electronics.

"Best Buy Canada is very excited to be a partner in bringing new, innovative technology to these schools and empowering Canadian students from coast-to-coast-to coast towards great accomplishments," added MacBeth.

The 14 schools receiving a Best Buy School Tech Grant are:

General Grants:

• M.E. LaZerte High School, Edmonton, AB
• Ancaster High School, Hamilton, ON
• Confederation Secondary School, Val Caron, ON
• John F. Kennedy High School, Montreal, QC
• École Joseph-Charbonneau, Montreal, QC
• Harbour View High School, Saint John, NB
• Annapolis West Educational Center, Annapolis Royal, NS
• South Colchester Academy, Brookfield, NS
• Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School, Baker Lake, NU

STEM Grants:

• Fraser Heights Secondary School, Surrey, BC
• Runnymede Collegiate Institute, Toronto, ON
• Blessed Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, Scarborough, ON
• Blessed Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School, Scarborough, ON          
• Gananoque Secondary School, Gananoque, ON  

General Tech Grants are designed to help improve or integrate technology in classrooms to advance student learning. This could include new technologies including libraries, special needs classrooms, literacy programs and more. STEM Tech Grants are for schools looking to enhance technology in programs pertaining to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, which includes robotics clubs, math programs, computer coding and digital media courses.

Best Buy Canada focuses its community investment on supporting youth connect with technology to inspire, motivate and empower their education. Through this mission, Best Buy has provided more than 100 Canadian schools with grants to purchase the technology, in addition to offering post-secondary scholarships and supporting youth with hands on tech learning opportunities.

In the coming months, Best Buy School Tech Grants will next offer elementary schools with the opportunity to apply for funding for new technology. Educators interested in being notified when grants are next available can email [email protected].

For more information about Best Buy's community investments, visit www.BestBuy.ca/Community.

About Best Buy
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY), Best Buy Canada Ltd. is one of Canada's largest and most successful omni-channel retailers, operating the Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile and Geek Squad (www.geeksquad.ca) brands. With nearly 200 Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores across Canada, and an expanded assortment of lifestyle products offered through BestBuy.ca, Best Buy is a leader in Total Retail, catering to customers how, when, and where they want to shop. Best Buy Canada is committed to making a positive impact in the community with programs and partnerships that support youth to connect with technology to advance their education. For more information visit BestBuy.ca.

SOURCE Best Buy Canada

Media contact: Stephen Ludlow, E: [email protected], P: 604-456-8462