(North Carolina) – March 2, 2023 – Google is teaming up with Betabox Learning, a leading provider of mobile STEM labs, to launch a STEM tour of North Carolina school districts. The tour will visit schools across the state and provide hands-on learning experiences for students in grades K-12.
The tour will kick off on March 11 with an event at the MLK Center in Lenoir, NC (313 Greenhaven Drive NW, Lenoir, NC 286450–home of Google’s NC-based data center. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include free food from area food trucks (for the first 300 attendees) and other activities for the whole family. Parking is limited at the MLK Center, and a shuttle will run from satellite parking at the Freedman Cultural Center (312-398 Greenhaven Dr. NW, Lenoir, NC 28645).
The partnership aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technologists by directly bringing the latest in computer science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education to the classroom.
Betabox Learning directly brings hands-on experiential learning opportunities to schools with mobile STEM labs. The company’s labs have the latest technology to engage students in hands-on, project-based learning. Google’s investment in this tour increases the accessibility of Betabox STEM experiences, building upon the success of Betabox Learning’s existing STEM programs in North Carolina, which operate in 30 districts in partnership with NCDPI and the General Assembly.
It will allow students to participate in various interactive activities and experiments, including coding, artificial intelligence, robotics, and 3D printing.
After completing its tour of Caldwell County, the Betabox will tour other NC school districts to be announced later.
Google and Betabox Learning hope this tour will inspire students to pursue careers in STEM fields and help close the gap in the number of women and underrepresented groups/populations in these fields.
The STEM tour is part of Google’s ongoing education and workforce development commitment. The company has also launched initiatives such as Google for Education, which provides teachers with free tools, resources, and training. SAS and the NC Business Committee for Education support the tour.
For more information about the STEM tour, please visit https://betaboxlearning.com/google/.
Quotes:
Representative Destin Hall – District 87 – Caldwell County
“I appreciate and applaud the commitment Google has made for more than a decade to helping Caldwell County grow and prosper. Launching this statewide STEM education effort in Caldwell again shows Google’s focus on helping our community’s school children access important educational resources that will inspire the next generation of science and technology leaders in our state.”
Mayor Joe Gibbons, City of Lenoir
“Betabox is another example of Google launching statewide and even national programs right here in our tiny corner of North Carolina. Rolling Study Halls started in Caldwell County and soon became a heralded program Google rolled out in communities across the country. Our Gravity Games became the model for other STEM competitions in other states. Google, Lenoir, and Caldwell County have a great track record of working together to incubate big ideas that support students and communities.”
Lilyn Hester, Head of External Affairs – Southeast, Google
“When I saw what Betabox had to offer, I knew immediately that Caldwell County would be the perfect place to launch a program that could tour the state and show schoolchildren from all backgrounds what a career in STEM can offer. Caldwell County and our state, local and business leaders are dedicated and thoughtful partners where we can pilot exciting initiatives.
Dr. Don Phipps, superintendent, Caldwell County Schools
“We are grateful for the partners who help provide resources and opportunities for our students. Google is an established partner who has had a tremendous impact on our work. We look forward to the addition of Betabox and how the combined efforts will help not only students in Caldwell County Schools but students across the state. These STEM efforts are critical and the ability to leverage resources with partners like Google and Betabox helps us create experiences that we would simply be unable to do on our own.”
Greg Pearlman, Chief Customer Success Officer, Betabox Learning
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Google on this important initiative. By bringing our mobile STEM labs to schools across North Carolina, we can provide students with the opportunity to learn and explore in a fun and engaging way, while also preparing them for success in the 21st-century workforce.”
Pat Triplett, Executive Director, Caldwell County Education Foundation Inc.
“We’ve seen firsthand the impact having a company like Google in our community has done for our young people. The presence of such a leader across so many industries in their own backyard makes students feel like they, too, can accomplish great things if they apply themselves and seek out opportunities to learn. This tour will replicate that in communities across the state.”