Future Shop awards five high schools with $250,000 state-of-the-art
technology

~Eighty-seven per cent of students say technology contributes to academic success~

BURNABY, BC, Sept. 14 /CNW/ - Access to the latest technology once again becomes a reality for high schools across Canada as Future Shop opens the doors to five new Future Generation Tech Lab classrooms today.  In partnership with participating school boards, and as part of their ongoing commitment to education, Future Shop awarded $250,000 to high schools to transform dated classrooms into leading-edge technology labs. 

"Technology has become an increasingly integrated part of student life, as access to cutting-edge technology provides young minds with the advantages and tools they need to succeed," said Todd Empey, Vice President, Future Shop. "The Future Generation Tech Lab program aims to make a real difference in the lives of today's students through inspiration, engagement and connection."

The Tech Lab classrooms come on the heels of recent survey findings revealing that a majority of secondary school students (87 per cent)* would take more advantage of the technology in their school if it were up-to-date and functional. The survey, commissioned by Future Shop and conducted by Student Awards (via Uthink Online), revealed that the most common issues students cited with their current technology are slow networks (73 per cent), old equipment/not having enough equipment (51 per cent) and lack of resources (47 per cent).

Additionally, the findings showed that technology helps students achieve academic success (87 per cent) and helps teachers to engage students (86 per cent).

The survey results also found:

• Practically all students believe that it is important to incorporate technology into their studies.  93 per cent believe it is either very important or somewhat important
• 80 per cent of students agree that having a laptop or netbook is an advantage for those who only have access to a school's technology
• 98 per cent either feel that corporate donations are beneficial to schools or create opportunities when properly managed

The Future Generation program aims to help reduce the economic and digital divide for students in grades 10-12 whose schools are considered by their districts to be high in need.

This year, the following five schools were selected to each receive a $50,000 donation:

• Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute, Toronto, ON: Their Tech Lab is being used to enrich ESL learning experiences through improved software capabilities and hardware such as audio recording and language recognition software which will also support the school's new programs like the Specialist High Skills Major Program in Environment. 
  
  
• Saltfleet District High School, Stoney Creek, ON:  Saltlfleet upgraded its existing technology design lab to help the growing number of students enrolled in related classes. The Future Generation Tech Lab is offering the opportunity for students to utilize Saltfleet's industrial-focused programs and prepare for technical-related fields. An area that received an immediate upgrade is the Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing software and hardware, as well as rapid prototyping equipment, essential for preparing students for programs in post-secondary school and the workplace.
  
  
• McNally High School, Edmonton, AB:  McNally fulfilled its dream of providing cutting-edge technology to its students through enhancements to the 21st Century Literacy Skills program and the introduction of a multimedia lab. The multimedia lab features current software programs to support the instruction of practical courses in design, computer animation and video editing. Additionally, interactive features were introduced to engage students in the new learning environment.
  
  
• Mount Boucherie Secondary School, West Kelowna, BC:  Mount Boucherie made significant enhancements to the existing curriculum by introducing new computers, Computer Numeric Control routers and laser engraving/cutting devices. This addition expanded the school's course offerings and provides students with real-world working experiences.
  
  
• Henri-Bourassa High School, Montreal, QC:  With only one computer workstation for every six students, the need for additional technology resources was immense. Henri-Bourassa used the funds to create a brand new computer classroom. Located beside the arts and communications rooms, the classroom was created to encourage participation in artistic creativity programs and feature digital enhancements such as interactive whiteboards, multimedia presentations and rich media content.

To learn more about Future Shop' Future Generation Tech Lab program, please visit www.futureshop.ca/futuregeneration.

*These are findings of a Student Awards poll conducted by Uthink Online (a subsidiary of Student Awards.com) on behalf of Future Shop from July 27 - August 13, 2010.  This online survey of 1,000 included Canadian students from grades 10 to 12.

About Future Shop's Future Generation
The Future Generation Tech Lab expands on a 10-year commitment to support students and education in Canada. Since 2001, Future Shop has donated over 520 post-secondary scholarships (valued at $4,000 each), over 600 computers to non-profit partners and ten Tech labs to secondary schools across Canada. Each of Future Shop's 146 stores donate to non-profits and communities on an individual basis, and supports employee volunteerism with Volunteer Awards.

For further information:

Elliott Chun│Future Shop│[email protected]│ P 604.412.1764│C 778.990.9342