Future Shop offers $150,000 to high schools across Canada through Future Generation Tech Lab grants program

BURNABY, BC, April 28, 2014 /CNW/ - Future Shop, Canada's leading destinations for consumer electronics and lifestyle goods, today announced the return of its Future Generation Tech Lab grants program. A total of $150,000 in funding is now available for secondary schools looking to improve their technology offerings for classes or programs primarily for students in grades 9-12, with $20,000 being the maximum grant amount that will be awarded per school. The Future Generation Tech Lab 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.

"It's always an exciting time of year when we can announce the return of Tech Lab grants for secondary schools across Canada," said Andrea Farnell, community relations manager, Future Shop. "We look forward each year to seeing the applicants' vision of how a Tech Lab grant could impact their students."

Throughout the six years Future Shop has made this monetary grant program available, more than $1.75 million has been awarded to more than 60 deserving schools seeking upgrades to their classroom technology.

The Future Generation Tech Lab program has provided funding to both high schools and elementary schools across Canada. Past grant recipients have used the money at their discretion to bring higher-tech learning in classrooms, such as new computers and translation equipment to preserve a rare language on Vancouver Island, a comprehensive media and broadcasting program in Ontario, and the ability to offer senior students web courses for distance learning at a rural school.

Applications for Future Shop's Future Generation Tech Lab program are now being accepted online in English or French at www.futureshop.ca/techlab. The closing date is Friday, May 23, 2014. Winners will be announced in June.

Tips for educators looking to write a successful application include:

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

About Future Shop
With more than 135 stores across the country and the nation's premier web store (www.futureshop.ca), Burnaby, BC-based Future Shop is Canada's largest retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics. The company employs more than 10,000 technology enthusiasts, has enabled its website, Futureshop.ca, to deliver unparalleled content about the products it sells. Futureshop.ca also hosts an online community forum and tech blog called Tech Yeah for technology beginners and tech-savvy experts to exchange ideas, reviews, tips and other consumer electronics information (www.futureshop.ca/techyeah). As a proud corporate citizen, Future Shop has developed solutions to recycle used electronics and is committed to employee volunteerism and supporting non-profit organizations dedicated to transforming local youth into Future Leaders (see www.futureshop.ca/futuregeneration).

SOURCE: Future Shop

Media contact:
Elliott Chun, Communications Manager, Future Shop
E: [email protected]
P: 604-412-1764
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