PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As minority students and women are gravitating away from science and engineering toward other professions, and employment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields are increasing at a faster pace than in non-STEM fields,(1) educational experts say the U.S. must increase proficiency and interest in these areas to compete in the global economy. Today, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and AT&T* announced a new program to help 250 Philadelphia-area high school girls get interested in STEM classes and future careers.

The initiative, called "IMAGINE: Your STEM Future," is funded through a $1 million AT&T Aspire contribution designed to reach 6,000 young women, across the U.S., and introduce them to a variety of career options in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. AT&T's contribution is among the largest gifts ever made to Girls Scouts of the USA going toward STEM programs.

"The Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania has some of the most promising young women eager to learn and make a positive impact in both their personal lives and future careers," said Natalye Paquin, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania "AT&T's contribution enables us to expand our focus to help high school girls in Philadelphia to explore educational and workforce options in the STEM fields."

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania is one of 18 Councils, selected through a national competitive grant process, to participate in the educational curriculum called IMAGINE, provided in a creative kit. The council will receive a $25,000 grant, made possible from AT&T's contribution to the Girls Scouts of the USA, to conduct the program from November 2011 through summer 2012.

The IMAGINE curriculum offers opportunities for high school girls to team up with AT&T employees and other volunteers to participate in interactive activities and visual experiments, such as extracting DNA from a banana. These activities are designed to help students imagine a future STEM career and spark interest in taking additional STEM courses in high school and college and open doors to new career options.

Experts say the country's need for a world-leading STEM workforce will continue to grow.

Recent research from the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce predicts 2.8 million STEM job openings as of 2018, including 1.2 million net new jobs and an additional 1.6 million replacement openings.(2)

"The STEM disciplines are at the heart our business and we understand how essential they are becoming to every business and the growth of our economy," said Tiffany Baehman, vice president/general manager for AT&T in the Philadelphia region. "We are committed to helping teens succeed and are excited that Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania has been selected to participate in this program and will help these young women develop more skills to enjoy productive and rewarding careers."

"We are delighted to partner with Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania to provide the college readiness component to this program, making the experience even more robust. We look forward to connecting girls with the resources they need to achieve their education goals," notes Barbara Mattleman, Director, PhillyGoes2College, an initiative of the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Education.

In addition, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania is partnering with Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center to engage STEM professionals as speakers and volunteers in the program.

The other Girl Scout Councils participating in IMAGINE are located in: Birmingham, Ala.; Irvine, Calif.; San Diego, Calif.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Jupiter, Fla.; Mableton, Ga.; Elgin, Ill.; Evansville; Ind.; Wichita, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo.; St. Louis, Mo.; Omaha, Neb.; Pleasantville, N.Y.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Dallas, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; and Spokane, Wash.

The contribution was made through AT&T Aspire, a $100 million commitment with the goal of helping students achieve their best possible futures. Launched in 2008, AT&T Aspire is one of the largest-ever corporate commitments to address high school success leading to college and career readiness.

AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have given nearly $87 million to support STEM initiatives since 1995. Projects supported by AT&T contributions range from STEM scholarship programs and science/math focused summer camps for at risk youth to hands-on technology labs and elite robotics competitions at the nation's leading universities.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About Girl Scouts - Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U or visit [ www.girlscouts.org ].

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: [ T ]) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at [ http://www.att.com ]. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at [ http://www.att.com/newsroom ] and as part of an RSS feed at [ www.att.com/rss ]. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATTNews. Find us on Facebook at [ www.Facebook.com/ATT ] to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at [ www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz ] to discover more about our small business services.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: [ T ]) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and working with other organizations, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2010, more than $148.2 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

© 2011 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

(1) Report To The President, Prepare And Inspire: K-12 Education In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Math (Stem) For America's Future; President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology; September 2010

(2) Carnevale, Anthony et al. Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements through 2018. Georgetown University Center on the Education and the Workforce. June 2010.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and AT&T Unite to Advance Underserved High School Girls in Science and Engineering

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and AT&T Unite to Advance Underserved High School Girls in Science and Engineering

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