Best Buy Launches Geek Squad Academy Nationwide

Inaugural year of youth program designed to inspire and educate through the use of technology

Announcement Highlights:

• Geek Squad Academy partners with non-profit organizations and schools to offer a fun and interactive program for youth to explore the latest and greatest in technology through guided, hands-on experience.
• Classes are taught by local Geek Squad Agents from Best Buy stores, spanning topics such as Robotics, Digital Music, 3D Printing, and more.

BURNABY, BC, Aug. 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Best Buy is proud to announce the nationwide launch of Geek Squad Academy. Successfully introduced to Canada as a pilot program earlier this year, the success of Geek Squad Academy is in its partnerships with local non-profit organizations and schools to teach youth aged 10-14 years about the latest technology in a fun, interactive environment.

While attending a Geek Squad Academy, students become 'Junior Agents' to get hands-on experience with some of the newest and coolest technology. This exposure to technology has become a fundamental resource for today's youth, as 70% of Canada's top jobs require tech-based skills. Learning how to be innovative, creative, and adaptive to technology will help to set students up for success.

"It's been incredible to see the excitement surrounding Geek Squad Academy, and the interest we've received from organizations across Canada has reaffirmed our commitment to STEM-based learning," says Karen Arsenault, Community Relations Manager, Best Buy Canada. "Our pilot program earlier this year was a resounding success for all of our Junior Agents involved, and we're eager to build upon this momentum with our nationwide launch."

To coincide with today's launch, Best Buy Canada has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa to host the first Geek Squad Academy in Canada. In subsequent months, Geek Squad Academy will be enlisting Junior Agents from across Canada, with camps planned for St. Albert, Brantford, and Winnipeg.

Geek Squad Academy features classes that are conducted by local Geek Squad Agents from Best Buy stores, and lessons span a range of topics including Digital Citizenship, Robotics, 3D Printing, and Music. To learn more about Geek Squad Academy and watch a program in action, check out the Best Buy Geek Squad Academy homepage.

About Geek Squad Academy:

Almost a decade ago, several enterprising Geek Squad Agents in the United States piloted programs in the Midwest to teach high school students how to build their own computers using parts donated by Best Buy and its customers. A female Double Agent took a look at the landscape of this local technical education market and noticed something – none of these programs were designed for young women. She decided to change this, and in Chicago in the summer of 2007, weekend PC builds were replaced with a week-long technology camp for girls and the first Geek Squad Academy was born.

Since the first camp, Geek Squad Academy has expanded to more and more markets, and now camps include both young men and young women ranging in age from 10 to 18. Partnering with various non-profits in the United States, Best Buy has brought camps to over 70 cities across the US and impacted thousands of Junior Agents.

In 2015, Best Buy is now bringing Geek Squad Academy up north. The pilot camp took place at Best Buy Canada's corporate head office in March of this year, and Best Buy is looking forward to continuing to grow this program here in Canada.

About Best Buy Canada Community Investment
Best Buy Canada's community investment strives to connect youth with technology to inspire, motivate and empower their education through programs such as Tech Lab grants, Boys and Girls Clubs Scholarships and numerous other donations and partnerships. At the local level, Best Buy store teams, along with Geek Squad agents, partner with various schools and youth organizations to provide kids with access to technology to enhance their learning. For more information, visit BestBuy.ca.

SOURCE Best Buy Canada

Media contact: Danielle Jang, Communications Manager, [email protected], 604-412-1880