TI and Family Giving Tree co-hosted an event dubbed "STEM in the Schoolyard" recently, where the 130 incoming high school freshmen at Downtown College Prep (DCP) in San Jose, Calif., received supply-filled backpacks complete with TI-30XS scientific calculators.

Each student, the first in their family to go to college, was not only outfitted with supplies for the new school year, but they also participated in hands on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities and heard inspiring presentations by elected officials.

San Jose City Councilmember Sam Liccardo, Santa Clara County Office of Education Superintendent Xavier De La Torre, as well as leaders from the participating organizations, discussed the importance of collaboration between government, business, community and education to engage students in STEM education and provide students the tools they need to succeed.

"We all agree that education plays a significant role in breaking the cycle of poverty in our communities," said Steve Hunt, vice president and business unit manager at TI Silicon Valley.

"We are committed to STEM education and helping ensure that underrepresented students have the resources and support to achieve in STEM subjects. TI and its employees in Silicon Valley are excited and pleased to support the Family Giving Tree Back to School Drive and Downtown College Prep."

The new ninth grade DCP students experienced hands-on STEM activities, such as building a roller coaster to study energy conversion and using chromatography to design bandanas.

"With the right tools, mindset and support from the community, DCP students prevail in their pursuit of a college education. We're proud to partner with TI and Family Giving Tree to launch our students on the college path," said Jennifer Andaluz, DCP co-founder and executive director.

TI, which acquired National Semiconductor last September, has continued a partnership with Family Giving Tree that Santa Clara site employees have been involved with for more than 20 years.

This year, in addition to being the presenting sponsor of the Family Giving Tree Back to School Drive, the company donated 400 TI scientific calculators for all DCP students and is also matching $10,000 in employee donations through the TI Community Fund.

TI's top corporate philanthropy has been education for more than 80 years, and STEM education is now its focus.

TI supports programs that promote effective teaching, increase student awareness of STEM and drive student achievement. The company focuses on communities where TI operates and collaborates with educators and partners to scale programs that achieve results and can be replicated.