826 National and Time Warner Cable Release Innovative STEM and Writing Partnership, “STEM to Story: Enthralling and Effective Lesson Plans for Grades 5-8”

NEW YORK, February 11, 2015 /3B Media/ - Award-winning literacy nonprofit 826 National and Time Warner Cable’s (TWC) Connect a Million Minds initiative today launched their innovative STEM and writing curriculum, STEM to Story: Enthralling and Effective Lesson Plans for Grades 5-8. This book, designed for teachers, afterschool providers, and parents, is the culmination of a three year partnership made possible by the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). As part of 826 National and TWC’s efforts to scale inventive and creative best practices for STEM education, TWC also announced that it is donating the book to 1,000 YMCAs across the country that will implement the STEM to Story lessons.

This unique partnership grew out of CGI America, a meeting hosted by CGI that brings cross-sector leaders together to develop solutions for economic growth, long-term competitiveness, and social mobility in the United States. At this meeting in 2012, TWC and 826 National discovered their shared desire to inspire curiosity and creativity among youth. They realized this could be achieved by combining student engagement with hands on STEM learning – TWC’s philanthropic focus – with creative writing, which is at the heart of 826 National’s mission. This idea and partnership became a 2012 CGI Commitment to Action, what CGI defines as a new, specific, and measurable plan for addressing a challenge.  

“STEM to Story is about discovery and finding your voice, and we are so excited to share this engaging workbook with educators,” said Gerald Richards, CEO of 826 National. “We have no greater challenge than preparing our students for the future, and this partnership has successfully found a new way to approach STEM, critical thinking and literacy.”

“STEM to Story brings TWC’s Connect a Million Minds to life by challenging, and changing, the way students experience STEM,” said Ellen East, EVP and Chief Communications Officer of Time Warner Cable. “Lessons like ‘The Science of Superpowers’ and ‘It’s (Partially) Rocket Science and (Mostly) Ice Cream’ make science relevant and exciting. We are so proud of this content and are thrilled to be able to bring it to exponentially more young people through our scaling partnership with YMCA of the USA.”

The Y anticipates reaching nearly 250,000 youth in 44 states with these STEM activities.

“The Y is proud to offer STEM to Story’s dynamic curriculum to 1,000 YMCAs around the country,” said Pam Garza, STEM Project Director at YMCA of the USA. “Aligned with the Common Core English Language Arts and the Next Generation Science Standards, the activities engage youth by providing real-world experiences to break down the stereotypes associated with science and who can be a scientist. We are excited to inspire thousands of young people every day to increase their ability to solve problems and discover the exciting world of science.”

STEM to Story can be purchased online here and at 826 chapters nationwide.

826 National is a nonprofit organization that provides strategic leadership, administration and other resources to ensure the success of its network of seven writing and tutoring centers. 826 centers offer a variety of inventive programs that provide under-resourced students, ages 6 to 18, with opportunities to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills. We also aim to help teachers get their classes excited about writing. Our mission is based on the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success. Last year, our centers—which are located in Boston, Chicago, Detroit/Ann Arbor, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. — served over 31,000 students. To find out more about 826 National, visit www.826national.org.

Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) is among the largest providers of video, high-speed data and voice services in the United States, connecting 15 million customers to entertainment, information and each other. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers data, video and voice services to businesses of all sizes, cell tower backhaul services to wireless carriers and enterprise-class, cloud-enabled hosting, managed applications and services. Time Warner Cable Media, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions. More information about the services of Time Warner Cable is available at www.twc.com, www.twcbc.com and www.twcmedia.com.

Connect a Million Minds Time Warner Cable’s (TWC) Connect a Million Minds (CAMM) is a five-year, $100 million cash and in-kind philanthropic initiative to address America’s declining proficiency in science, technology and math (STEM), which puts our children at risk of not competing successfully in a global economy. Using its media assets, TWC creates awareness of the issue and inspires students to develop the STEM skills they need to become the problem solvers of tomorrow. TWC’s national CAMM partners are CSAS (Coalition for Science After School) and FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Local TWC markets are activating CAMM across the country with community-specific programs and partnerships. To learn more about Connect a Million Minds, visit www.connectamillionminds.com.

YMCA of the USA is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. http://www.ymca.net