Museum of Nature & Science instructor, Hannah Moots, creates Dino Masks with her campers.

Because TI's top philanthropic priority is science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, the company includes this element in many of its community partnerships.

"We don't narrowly define STEM support as grants to schools," said Andy Smith, TI director of corporate philanthropy. "There are many great programs offered by groups that are not traditionally thought of as having a STEM focus. Many arts and culture and other agencies provide great ways to engage students in science and math."

One of those non-traditional STEM partners is the Dallas Zoo. TI sponsors the Zoo's "1, 2…Counting at the Zoo!" program, which features math and science "adventure" activities for students in grades K-2. The program's counting exercises, which enrich instructor-led field trips at the zoo, reach about 1,000 schoolchildren each year.

"By helping create and support STEM educational programs, we can make an impact on student success in these subjects," Smith said. "And the Dallas Zoo's program is an excellent example of how you can spark students' interest in math and science in fun ways."

For the third year in a row, TI is sponsoring the Museum of Nature & Science's summer educational programs, including Discovery Camps, Discovery Camp Jr. and Little Explorers. Each year, more than 1,000 students participate in the camps with an additional 150 children and parents involved with the Little Explorers program. TI's support helps fund the programs as well as provide scholarships for children who may otherwise not enjoy these summer experiences.

"The Museum of Nature & Science Discovery Camps have a tremendous impact on children ages 3-12 who are interested in science but find that their traditional classroom does not provide the challenges or excitement they are looking for," said Nicole Small, CEO of the Museum of Nature and Science.

Museum of Nature & Science campers participate in hands-on educational projects at Discovery Camp.

Targeting future women engineers
Also for the first time this year, TI is supporting The Women's Museum's summer camps for young girls. The camps reinforce classroom instruction and encourage girls to think about STEM-related fields as potential careers. Participants engage in a series of experiments and activities to create a sense of accomplishment, make science fun and easy to understand and strengthen core knowledge in STEM subjects.

For several years, TI has sponsored "Texas Instruments Science Day" at The Women's Museum each fall. This program targets 150 girls in grades 5-8. A TI representative makes a "Science Day" presentation to all the girls in attendance, followed by breakout sessions where they participate in science-related activities and a tour of the museum.

TI also sponsors "Camp Scimatech", a STEM program with Girls Inc. that introduces girls to STEM careers. During the camps, girls participate in hands-on activities and learn about women inventors and scientists.

In addition to the funds TI provides, a number of TI employees volunteer with Girls Inc., including several who helped to develop and revise the coursework.

"I became involved in Girls Inc. because it's a very worthwhile organization where I believe the women of TI can play a significant role in helping reduce the shortage of women entering STEM careers," said Vicky Barajas, a TI engineer who helped revamp the group's after-school and summer STEM activities. "My passion is helping open these girls' eyes to the importance of studying STEM subjects. Perhaps through this program, more of these young women will choose to become engineers."

Barajas and others from TI's Women's Initiative employee group also trained Girls Inc. instructors to conduct new science experiments and incorporate new curriculum.

"It's imperative to our success as a technology company and as a society to build a future technical workforce that is science and math capable. It's important for our country to ensure more students chose STEM-related careers. That's why we are always looking for ways to tie our focus on math and science education into our community partnerships," Smith said.