Future Shop's 2013 Future Generation Tech Lab program returns with $250,000 for Canadian high schools

Samsung Hope for Children to donate an additional $20,000 in technology grants

Announcement Highlights:

• Future Shop announced today its Future Generation Tech Lab program will award $250,000 to secondary schools across Canada in 2013.
• Applications are being accepted November 13 - December 20, 2012 via www.futureshop.ca/techlab.
• Future Shop is partnering with Samsung Hope for Children to award two additional technology grants each valued at $10,000 in consumer electronics product.

BURNABY, BC, Nov. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Future Shop, Canada's largest retailer and etailer of consumer electronics, is pleased to announce the return of its Future Generation Tech Lab program. The 2013 program will provide $250,000 in total grants to deserving secondary schools across Canada. Founded in 2008, this program awards monetary grants to schools seeking resources to update the classroom technology necessary to inspire, motivate and empower today's students.

"In just four years, Future Shop has awarded 36 worthy high schools across Canada - from BC's Haida Gwaii to St. John's Newfoundland - with funds to help them transform lagging classrooms into high-tech learning havens," said Andrea Farnell, Community Relations Manager, Future Shop. "We are extremely excited to share that we will be awarding $250,000 to secondary schools in 2013. Our goal for the Future Generation Tech Lab program has always been to reduce the digital and economic divide for youth by providing them with state-of-the-art technology to stay inspired as they move into post-secondary education and into the workforce."

Past recipients of this program have dramatically transformed their classrooms into modern visual arts and animation studios, cutting-edge wood-working shops, updated language labs, video and music meccas, and much more. Since the program's inception, grants totalling more than $1.3 million have been awarded.

"We are always hearing from teachers how having newer technology in the classroom will expand what they can teach and how students will learn," said Farnell. "Our grants are about helping to build exceptional learning environments that give students and teachers the tools they need to excel."

Applications for 2013 Future Generation Tech Lab grants will be accepted starting November 13 through December 20, 2012. Winners will be announced in 2013. For more information and to apply, visit www.futureshop.ca/techlab.

Samsung Hope for Children offers $20,000 in technology grants: 

Future Shop is excited to partner with Samsung Electronics Canada to award two additional $10,000 technology grants this year. The Tech Lab Grants powered by Samsung Hope for Children will see the selected schools receive premium Samsung products for their classrooms.

"Samsung is delighted to partner on such a meaningful initiative with Future Shop to give back and improve school environments for our youth," said Andrew Barrett, Vice President of Marketing at Samsung Electronics Canada. "Samsung is passionate about helping students elevate their learning opportunities through technology. We are looking forward to reviewing this year's submissions and helping students in two schools pursue their passions."

Applications submitted for a 2013 Future Generation Tech Lab grant will be considered for these special grants powered by Samsung Hope for Children, no additional application is required. Samsung Hope for Children is a global corporate social responsibility program centred on the three pillars of health, education and sustainability.

About Future Shop
With 149 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).

About Samsung Hope for Children
Since our founding in 1969, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has worked with passion and purpose to actively serve as a generous and ethical corporate citizen everywhere we operate. The Samsung Hope for Children program was launched globally to bring attention to the worldwide need for childhood education, health, and environmental sustainability. Samsung Hope for Children was launched in Canada coincident with this Green Living Show 2012 program and will continue throughout 2012 with more initiatives across all three program pillars. It is one of the ways in which Samsung uses our innovation to create a better world. Follow Samsung Canada @ facebook.com/SamsungCanada or on twitter @SamsungCanada. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com

SOURCE: Future Shop

Media contacts:
Future Shop:
Elliott Chun │[email protected] │604.412.1764
Press room: www.futureshop.ca/media
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FutureShop
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FutureShopNews

Samsung:
Nicole Grant │[email protected] │416-419-6577