Best Buy School Tech Grants offers secondary schools the opportunity to enhance classroom technology

Program will award $170,000 across two categories to help Grade 9-12 classes up their tech game

BURNABY, BC, Nov. 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Best Buy Canada, today announced launching its Best Buy School Tech Grant program to secondary schools. A total of $170,000 in funding is available for secondary schools looking to improve their technology offerings for classes or programs for students in grades nine-12. A maximum of $20,000 is available to schools. The Best Buy School Tech Grant program exists to help reduce the economic and digital divide for youth by providing them with modern technology essential to inspire and achieve their highest potential as they move into post-secondary education and the workforce. Best Buy Canada plans to also offer grants to elementary schools in 2016.

The Best Buy School Tech Grants will be offered in two categories:

General School Tech Grants
Best Buy Canada's General School Tech Grants are offered as a way for schools to improve or integrate technology in their classrooms to advance student learning. This could include new technologies for areas including libraries, special needs classrooms, literacy programs, etc.

STEM School Tech Grants
For schools looking to add technology to programs with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM), the STEM School Tech Grants are available to enhance offering such as robotics clubs, math or coding, makerspaces, and digital media courses.

"We continue to be inspired by the programs and initiatives that Canadian secondary schools are offering to students," said Andrea MacBeth, community relations manager, Best Buy Canada. "By offering grants to support the tech needs of programs like robotics and coding, we hope to encourage schools to expand or create more classes, courses and clubs that will introduce and engage students in their STEM education."

Applications for the Best Buy School Tech Grant program are now being accepted online in English or French at www.bestbuy.ca/schooltechgrants. The closing date is Wednesday, December 9, 2015. Winners will be announced in January.

Tips for educators looking to write a successful application include:

• Illustrating how the technology purchased will inspire, motivate and empower students in their studies.
• Outlining how the technology will bring innovation to the classroom.
• Illustrating the impact this new technology will have on the student experience and potential for learning.
• Ensuring that the list of new technology purchased with the grant is reflective of the case made for a grant.

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: Elliott Chun, E: [email protected], P: 604-412-1764