2019-04-25

Motorola Solutions Foundation, Boeing to Host Chicago ‘STEM Signing Day’

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

The Motorola Solutions Foundation’s STEM education programs have benefitted millions of teachers and students in more than 30 countries around the world.

This week, two Chicago companies will come together to host a special event focused on the next generation of tech talent. On Friday, April 26, the Motorola Solutions Foundation (NYSE: MSI) and Boeing (NYSE: BA) will host the annual Chicago Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) “Signing Day” event to celebrate students from across the Chicagoland area as they make commitments to attend some of the country’s top technical schools, colleges and universities, including Northwestern University, University of Missouri and University of Washington. These students will apply their talents in pursuit of STEM careers in fields such as software development, engineering and user experience design.

During the event at Chicago’s City Hall, students will sign STEM “letters of intent” as part of a ceremony attended by elected officials as well as business and community leaders. Approximately 40 students were selected to participate after applying through the Chicago STEM Pathways Cooperative, a Project Exploration initiative aimed at addressing inequities in the STEM learning landscape from early childhood to career.

The Motorola Solutions Foundation and Boeing partnered with Project Exploration on the second annual event.

“As a Chicago tech company, we believe STEM education is critically important in developing the next generation of innovators and changemakers,” said Cynthia Yazdi, chief of staff to the Motorola Solutions Chairman & CEO and senior vice president of Marketing, Communications and the Motorola Solutions Foundation. “We’re thrilled to recognize this accomplished group of students as they embark on the next phase of their education, and we look forward to seeing their contributions to the tech community in the years to come.”

"Boeing is proud to recognize some of the top young minds in Chicago and commend their commitment to pursuing careers in STEM," said Bea Billups, senior manager of Boeing Global Engagement. "The future innovators we are recognizing today will be leaders in the advancement of technology and innovation tomorrow.”

The Motorola Solutions Foundation and Boeing’s support of students and STEM extends beyond STEM Signing Day. The Motorola Solutions Foundation’s STEM education programs have benefitted millions of teachers and students in more than 30 countries around the world. In 2018, Boeing invested $48 million to support charitable organizations focused on developing tomorrow’s innovators.

"STEM education is helping reveal the inner scientist, technologist, mathematician and engineer in all of our students," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "As international companies and local startups alike look to Chicago as a city with top talent, we're grateful to partners like Boeing and Motorola Solutions who recognize that our students are leaving high school with the 21st century skills they need today to secure and succeed in the jobs of tomorrow."

Picture: Motorola Solutions STEM Day in Florida on 16 April 2019