Educational Endeavors

EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS

Providing opportunities for children of all ages and capabilities to learn and grow through access to premier educational tools and initiatives designed to drive STEAM learning.

26

EDUCATION ENDEAVORS

FULL STEAM HEAD

STEAM EDUCATION

In 2015, the Penguins Foundation teamed up with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 (AIU3) to create the first-of-its-kind STEAM Lending Library, which allows area schools to borrow the latest in educational technology. Over 40 school districts in Allegheny County have participated in the STEAM Lending Library since its inception, and it continues to grow, with 2,633 items borrowed during the 2018.19 academic year alone.

To expand the Penguins Foundation’s efforts in STEAM education, in 2017, the Foundation worked with Seneca Valley School District to fund the conversion of their seven existing libraries into ramped up tech learning centers. These lending libraries, consisting of over 530 items, now provide exposure to educational technology to students in Butler County. During the course of the academic school year, the Seneca Valley program impacted nearly 4,000 students in grades K-6.

In 2018, the Penguins Foundation, with the support of a grant from UPMC, provided high-tech, educational devices to expand the STEM Lending Center of Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 (AIU8). This initiative has allowed students from 35 school districts and non-public schools access to STEM learning, impacting nearly 50,000 students in Bedford, Blair, Cambria and Somerset Counties.

Already the lending libraries are generating tremendous opportunities for students. With this PAsmart advanced grant more children will be able to have those wonderful learning experiences. This is a perfect example of what is possible when organizations like the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation champion the great work of educators and our students.

Governor Tom Wolf

The Penguins Foundation launched STEAM E.X.C.I.T.E. in 2019, which will assist 450 students with special needs!

E.X.C.I.T.E. = Engaging eXceptional Children In Technological Endeavors

FUTURE GOALS

A league-wide initiative co-sponsored by the NHL and NHLPA, the Future Goals Hockey Scholar program helps students learn science, technology, engineering and math concepts that are present in hockey by using simulations on iPads and computers. To date, Future Goals has reached over 59,000 students and yielded over 154,000 hours of STEM learning opportunities.

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2018.19

EDUCATION ENDEAVORS

27

TABLETS IN EDUCATION

The Tablets in Education program completed its 6th year providing the latest in tablet technology to elementary school students and children in Allegheny County and the surrounding communities. Over 3,900 Kindle tablets have been provided by the Penguins Foundation to schools enrolled in this innovative and high-tech program. In addition, over 100 apps with an emphasis on education are also available through Tablets in Education, with the Foundation investing over $350,000 in app purchases. Since 2013.14, the Penguins Foundation has supplied Kindle tablets to over 275 elementary schools, educational organizations, and special needs programs, impacting over 100,000 students in 11 counties surrounding the city of Pittsburgh.

The STEM Lending Center at Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 has experienced substantial growth over the past 3 years enriching over 10,000 students in our four county region during the 2018.19 school year. The STEM resources, in the lending center, extend access to the rural schools who are often limited in what they can provide. Through the lending center approach, we are able to empower students for their future and enhance learning experiences for all students within our region. None of this could have been possible without the generous support of the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. Their commitment to advancing STEM education through Intermediate Unit Lending Libraries is commendable and much appreciated.

Janel Vancas Director of Mass Customized Learning & Curriculum Innovation Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8

$442,000 PAsmart Grant

PASMART GRANT

On February 6, the Penguins Foundation was awarded as the first recipient of the PAsmart advanced grant by Governor Tom Wolf. The $442,000 grant will allow the Penguins Foundation to accelerate the growth of Foundation programs focused on technology in education with the goal of bringing 10 STEAM Lending Libraries to Western Pennsylvania ultimately impacting 400,000 students.

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2018.19

28

EDUCATION ENDEAVORS

ALL-STAR SCHOLARS

PENGUINS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

In 2014, the Penguins Foundation created a new scholarship program, which included all Pittsburgh Public Schools plus select schools in Allegheny County. Each scholarship is valued at $1,500 for the first year of college with an additional $1,000 award for the student’s second year if a 3.0 GPA is maintained with a minimum of 24 credit hours earned. In 2018.19, the Penguins Foundation awarded 18 scholarships in partnership with UPMC and with the strong support of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 (AIU3).

BOB JOHNSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

In 1992, an annual scholarship was created in memory of Bob Johnson, the Penguins late head coach who led the team to its first Stanley Cup Championship. Co-sponsored by the Penguins Booster Club, the $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a Western Pennsylvania high school senior for academic excellence, community service and for providing leadership and sportsmanship as a member of their high school’s hockey team. To date, 29 Bob Johnson Memorial Scholarships have been awarded, with the 2018.19 Bob Johnson Memorial Scholarship going to Brooke McArdle, a former member of Penguins Elite, who now attends Elmira College.

PENGUINS ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP

The Penguins Alumni Association annually awards a $2,000 scholarship to a Western Pennsylvania high school senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, good citizenship, school and community involvement, and has shown an intense love for the game of hockey. Since 2005, the alumni have awarded 15 scholarships to deserving student-athletes. The 2018.19 recipient, Ryan Heil, attended North Allegheny Senior High School where he was a goaltender on the varsity hockey team.

I would like to thank the Pittsburgh Penguins scholarship committee for allowing me the opportunity to achieve my academic goals while serving my community on and off campus during my first year of college. Off campus, I was able to volunteer my time in assisting the homeless, domestic violence victims, and veterans in the Erie community. On campus, I raised money and awareness for childhood cancer through THON and shared my school pride as a mentor to new and prospective students. I cannot thank you enough for rewarding me with the scholarship which allowed me these opportunities. They have been life changing events. I hope to continue to be able to share my talents with the community in the future.

Jennifer Gustafson Penguins Foundation Scholarship Recipient Penn State Behrend Class of 2022

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2018.19

THE FUTURE SHINES BRIGHT

EDUCATION ENDEAVORS

29

WE ARE THE FUTURE

Launched during the 2018.19 season and academic year, We Are the Future provided high school seniors, who are members of the National Honor Society, with the opportunity to receive a pair of complimentary Penguins tickets courtesy of the Penguins Foundation. In total, over 4,600 tickets were distributed to students in the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland.

4,600+ Tickets

TAKE A FATHER TO SCHOOL DAY

The Penguins organization was proud to assist Pittsburgh Public Schools’ annual Take a Father to School Day initiative with this year’s theme: Expect Great Things. Students, fathers, parents and staff were greeted by Iceburgh at Pittsburgh Miller African Centered Academy elementary school in the Hill District. All students were given Penguins goodies at the Take a Father to School Day Rally in May in support of ensuring positive male role models for children in the Greater Pittsburgh community.

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

During Teacher Appreciation Week, the Penguins Foundation highlighted each Penguins Future Goals Teacher of the Month from the 2018.19 season, sharing with the community how these teachers encourage STEM learning in the classroom through Hockey Scholar. The Penguins Foundation also hosted a social media contest for teachers to share how they utilize Hockey Scholar. The winner, Andrew Cress from Duquesne City School District, shared that his students were so engaged with his Hockey Scholar classroom contest, they asked to play it during recess. We appreciate all the work teachers do throughout the year to help in our goal of making sure kids are the future.

FRIEND OF EDUCATION AWARD

In May, the Penguins Foundation was presented with the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU) Friend of Education Award at the PAIU 2019 Conference at Seven Springs. Recognized for dedication to education and ensuring all students have an equal opportunity to learn, the Penguins Foundation received this prestigious award as selected by educators across the state.

This program gives students in all communities of southwestern Pennsylvania the opportunity to be rewarded for their hard work and determination. As educators, we are grateful for the support that the Penguins Foundation continually provides to the learners in our region. The We Are the Future ticket program is yet one more example of the Foundation’s remarkable generosity and dedication to our children and their futures.

Rosanne Javorsky Interim Executive Director Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3

30

EDUCATION ENDEAVORS

ASSISTING THE ARTS

VERY SPECIAL ARTS EXHIBIT

The Penguins Foundation teamed up with the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV and the Citrone Thirty-Three Foundation to present the annual Very Special Arts Exhibit at the Pew Fine Art Gallery at Grove City College. This 10-day event featured artwork created by students with disabilities from school districts in Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties. Students were able to share their proud creations with family, friends and other artists throughout the exhibit, which highlighted that their talents and imaginations are limitless.

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2018.19

EDUCATION ENDEAVORS

31

HOLIDAY CARD CONTEST

During December, the Penguins Foundation looked for an assist from students in Western Pennsylvania in an effort to share a Penguins message of holiday cheer. The Foundation hosted a contest for children to design the organization’s 2018 holiday card. In total, 12 students were selected for their unique, hockey-themed artwork and were treated to 100 copies of their card design plus party suite tickets to a Penguins game.

Holiday Card Contest Winners:

Blake H.

Grade 5 Central Elementary School

Caden B.

Grade 6 Franklin Regional Middle School

Elin M.

Grade 5 Hillcrest Elementary School

Ellaina S.

Grade 6 Logan Elementary School

Hayleigh “HB” W.

Grade 1

Mars Primary Center

Katie H.

Grade 6 Richland Elementary School

Lily R.

Grade 5 Central Elementary School

Lola W.

Grade 3 St. Matthew’s School

Rhorie C.

Grade 4 Whitehall Elementary School

Rhianna L.

Grade 5 Whitehall Elementary School

Trinity R.

Grade 5 Sharpsville Elementary School

RJ Z.

Grade 6 Knoch Middle School

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2018.19

32

MAKE-A-THON

RETHINK THE RINK

For the second straight season, the Penguins, Covestro and Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Engineering teamed up to “Rethink the Rink” – a unique effort to make the game of hockey safer at all levels. This season, Rethink the Rink challenged CMU students to focus on player safety equipment. A “Make-A-Thon,” held in mid-March, brought students together to uncover material solutions to strengthen player protection without inhibiting performance.

It is quite impressive that the three institutions were able to get together and in less than a week bring students together to solve real world safety problems for hockey.

David Morehouse CEO & President Pittsburgh Penguins

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2018.19