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News
02.09.06
Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration
Launches AT&T Learning Connection
Interactive, Online Science Education Resource to Aid Students and Teachers
HARTFORD, Conn., Feb 9, 2006 — Seventh-graders at CREC Two Rivers Magnet Middle School today became the first students to experience a new set of online science lessons created by the new Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration, made possible by the AT&T Foundation. AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and the Center today introduced the new AT&T Learning Connection, an educational portal designed to increase the science literacy among Connecticut’s teachers, students and families.
In the short term, the site will serve as a valuable resource for local teachers as they transition to a new set of science curriculum guidelines and learn about opportunities to get involved in science programs throughout the state.
Once the Center opens its doors, the AT&T Learning Connection will remain as the central educational portal on the Center’s Web site. It will maximize the educational potential of the Center by supplementing classroom visits made by Connecticut students with pre- and post-visit classroom discussions and activities available online. Teachers will be able to:
- Tie their classroom teaching to the key educational components of the Center’s exhibits so that students will have a clear context of what they see in the exhibit galleries.
- Download pretests and post-tests to assess the learning value of their trips.
- Access numerous resources, including a science database, which will allow classes to conduct experiments based on their experience at the Center and compare their data with classes across the state.
The AT&T Learning Connection, which is in its first phase, will continue to be developed under a $500,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation. “While math and science skills have long been critical to our nation’s economy, their importance increases exponentially with each new generation,” said Michele Macauda, AT&T Connecticut president and CEO and a member of the Center’s board of trustees. “The AT&T Learning Connection will help increase Connecticut students’ interest and aptitude in math and science. We are proud to be working with the Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration and educators throughout the state to help ensure that America’s ability to produce world-class researchers, inventors, engineers and technologists remains strong.”
Although the Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration is now under construction, the building is already being used to help teach science and math skills. This is the idea behind the “Science of Building,” a new digital video series that can be viewed on the AT&T Learning Connection Web site. The videos use the construction of the new facility as an example of how science and math can be used in everyday life, as well as how science applications are being used by architects, engineers and builders to create the state-of-the-art science center. The “Science of Building” videos will also incorporate concepts taught in science and math classrooms, and they are directly tied to the state’s new Connecticut Science Framework.
The first of the series of videos focuses on simple machines, such as levers and wedges, and is illustrated by the actual construction machinery involved in building the Center. That first video was launched today on the AT&T Learning Connection.
The AT&T Learning Connection also features a Science Framework resource database, where Connecticut-based science center and museum offerings are aligned with the Connecticut Science Framework, serving as a resource for teachers. With the help of Connecticut educators, this database is being created to assist in developing unit plans and lesson plans and in discovering enrichment opportunities and planning field trips to science organizations and museums. Over time, this section will include additional resources and programs to help teachers and their students bring science to life.
“We are pleased to join with AT&T to enhance lives through improved education, and we are grateful for its support,” said Dr. Theodore S. Sergi, President and CEO of the Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration. “With its rich history of innovation and bringing new technologies to market, it’s appropriate that AT&T lead us into the world of digital, online educational content that benefits both students and teachers.”
State Sens. Thomas Gaffey, co-chair of the Legislature’s Education Committee, and John Fonfara, co-chair of the Legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee, were on hand to help launch the site and expressed their support for the effort to strengthen science and technology education in schools across the state.
“America is losing its competitive advantage over other countries, because we are substantially lacking scientists and engineers. Thankfully, we have groups like the Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration, CREC Two Rivers Magnet Middle School, and AT&T who are committed to being a part of the solution and are helping to bridge the gap,” said state Sen. Gaffey.
“As our world continues to flatten, it is imperative that technology and education come together in the classroom if we are to continue to be competitive,” said state Sen. Fonfara. “I join Senator Gaffey in applauding all those involved today.”
Nationally, the AT&T Foundation donates millions of dollars to support technology programs that enhance education and community development. A particular focus is placed on helping support nonprofits through the use of technology. In Connecticut, grant donations and contributions totaled $2.27 million in 2004.
Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration
The Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration will spark creative imagination and an appreciation for science by immersing visitors in fun and educational hands-on, interactive experiences. The Center, which is building a state-of-the-art science center facility as part of Hartford’s downtown and riverfront development initiative, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing science education throughout Connecticut, providing learning opportunities for students and adults of all ages and engaging the community in scientific exploration.
About the AT&T Foundation
The new AT&T Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AT&T Inc., supports programs that build communities and improve access to information technologies, technology training and professional skills development. The new AT&T Foundation will provide more than $60 million in 2006 in charitable contributions, thereby placing it among the top five largest corporate foundations in the country. The new AT&T Foundation combines over forty years and $1.7 billion of philanthropic commitment to communities across the country.
About the New AT&T
AT&T Inc. is one of the world's largest telecommunications holding companies and is the largest in the United States. Operating globally under the AT&T brand, AT&T companies are recognized as the leading worldwide providers of IP-based communications services to business and as leading U.S. providers of high-speed DSL Internet, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. AT&T Inc. holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which is the No. 1 U.S. wireless services provider with more than 54 million wireless customers. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and AT&T products and services is available at www.TheNewATT.com.
About CREC and the Two Rivers Magnet Middle School
Now in its 40th year, the Capitol Region Education Council is a non-profit, regional educational service center for 35 Greater Hartford public school districts. It was founded in 1966 by local school districts working together to solve common problems. Today, CREC administers more than 120 programs and services spanning the entire educational spectrum. Based in East Hartford, the CREC Two Rivers Magnet Middle School serves students from the towns of East Hartford, Glastonbury, Hartford, Manchester and South Windsor with a standards-based curriculum emphasizing science and technology. For more information on CREC and Two Rivers Magnet Middle School, please visit www.crec.org/2rivers.
©2006 AT&T Knowledge Ventures. All rights reserved. Subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. provide products and services under the AT&T brand.
For more information and detailed disclaimer information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at www.att.com/news_room.
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Michele Macauda, President and CEO, AT&T Connecticut works with Briana Bednarz and Caitlyn Holik, students from Two Rivers Magnet Middle School, at the launch of a new educational resource on the science center's website, AT&T Learning Connection. |
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Dr. Theodore Sergi, President and CEO of the CT Center for Science & Exploration and Jacob Figueroa, Malcomb Holmes, and Joshua Farr, students at Two Rivers Magnet Middle School, experiment with leverage at the launch of the new AT&T Learning Connection. Click here to download |
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Michele Macauda, President and CEO, AT&T Connecticut and Dr. Theodore S. Sergi, President and CEO of CTCSE are joined by State Senators Thomas Gaffey and John Fonfara at the launch of the new AT&T Learning Connection. Click here to download |
