New STEM Centers Inspire Youth

This spring, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Raytheon celebrated the openings of three new STEM Centers of Innovation at Boys & Girls Clubs of America-affiliated Youth Centers at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Fort Gordon Youth Program and Fort Meade Youth Program.

Each STEM Center of Innovation provides youth access to advanced technologies to explore 3D printing design and a variety of engineering and computer programming challenges. A full-time STEM expert will offer individual and group support, using real-world applications to help Youth Program participants develop their STEM skills and critical thinking.

The events featured a ribbon cutting, an “all STEM Day” open house and remarks from Youth Center and Raytheon leadership, military-connected youth and local dignitaries. In June, the 18th Boys & Girls Club STEM Center of Innovation will open at Langley Air Force Base Youth Program.

As a national partner of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Raytheon’s $5 million multi-year commitment is part of the company’s  $10 million pledge to support military families and veterans. “With frequent relocations, leaving behind friends and the worry associated with a parent being deployed, children of military families are asked to make tremendous sacrifices,” said Raytheon Chairman and CEO Tom Kennedy. “This Center of Innovation is a way to provide some stability, while also giving them opportunities to experience emerging technologies and explore the careers of the future in a supportive, familiar environment.”

For the past 28 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has served more than 480,000 school-age military youth around the world thanks to a partnership with every branch of the U.S. military. Through the affiliated Youth Centers available on nearly every U.S. military installation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America aims to provide a steady presence in military children’s lives.

“Over the past five years, Raytheon has helped empower thousands of military kids and teens to reach their full potential and find their path for a great future,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Thanks to Raytheon’s continued support, more BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers will be equipped to offer state-of-the-art STEM programming and expand their reach to more military-connected youth.”

Learn more about our military partnership here.