The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG-Ed) has announced that AutomationDirect has been named as the Corporate Outreach category winner for the 2014 Georgia STEM Education Awards.
The Georgia STEM Education Awards recognizes schools, programs, and companies for outstanding efforts and achievements in supporting and promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Education in Georgia.
AutomationDirect was recognized for its support of over a hundred robotics teams in Forsyth County, Georgia, involvement in the national FIRST robotics programs, participation in the Forsyth County Workforce Development program, providing equipment and supplies to educational institutions, supporting the Boy Scouts of America STEM merit badges (including Robotics Merit Badge, Programming Merit Badge, and the Digital Technology Merit Badge), their summer intern program and support of the Georgia Manufacturing pilot program for high school students.
Forsyth Alliance chairman and STEM Academy Engineering teacher David Johnson says, “We are grateful that AutomationDirect has supported robotics teams in Forsyth County since the program began in 2005. What began as one team with 11 kids has now grown to over 100 robotics teams in all 35 schools serving over 42,000 students within the Forsyth County school system (Georgia’s seventh largest school district). This makes them the first county in the United States to have a robotics program in each school in the county.”
“AutomationDirect is honored to be recognized for its efforts to help prepare our students for technology careers of the future.” says Joan Welty, Marketing Director at AutomationDirect. “It’s a win for the community, the country and the students and we are thrilled to be a part of it.”
Winners competed in eight different categories in the statewide event. “It was truly a challenge to choose from among the many applicants from around Georgia,” said Tino Mantella, president & CEO of TAG. “We applaud this year’s winners for standing out as leaders in Georgia’s educational community.”
Winners were announced during a special awards gala on September 26th, held at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center. The event was sponsored in part by Promethean and Cisco Systems Inc.
“It is so gratifying to see STEM education gaining momentum throughout the state of Georgia,” said Michael Robertson, executive director of TAG-Ed. “In order for our students to be prepared for tomorrow’s careers, they must first acquire strong analytical and problem solving skills through rigorous coursework in school. The programs highlighted today are leading the way in this effort and sharing best practices that will prepare our students for the challenges ahead. “
For more information about TAG and the Third Annual Georgia STEM Education Awards visit: www.tagonline.org/events/stem-education-awards.
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