Best Buy Canada grants secondary schools with new technology

Grants support programs including robotics, coding, literacy, and makerspaces

BURNABY, BC, Jan. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - Best Buy Canada is proud to announce that 9 secondary schools across the country have been selected to receive funding of up to $10,000 each through the Best Buy School Tech Grant program.

The recipient schools will use these funds to provide their students with the latest technology, helping to keep them motivated and empowered in their studies. The new technology will allow students to stay competitive as they move into post-secondary education and will support programs such as literacy labs, makerspaces, and media clubs.

"Every year we are inspired by the stories told through these applications." said Karen Arsenault, Best Buy Canada's Community Relations Manager. "This technology will not only expose students to 21^st century digital skills, but open doors to future possibilities and empower students to dream big and accomplish great things."

The 9 schools receiving a Best Buy School Tech Grant are:

• Echo Dene School – Fort Liard, NT
• LA Matheson Secondary School – Surrey, BC
• North Cottage High School – Red Deer, AB
• Grandview School – Grandview, MB
• Alexander MacKenzie Secondary School – Sarnia, ON
• L'Amoreaux Collegiate Institute – Scarborough, ON
• École secondaire Pierre-Bédard – St-Rémi, QC
• Cambridge-Narrows Community School – Cambridge-Narrows, NB
• Hampton High School – Hampton, NB

In addition to these schools, and in partnership with My Class Needs, Best Buy Canada awarded 13 secondary school classrooms with micro-grants of up to $1,500 each for technology to support programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math).

"Best Buy's leadership in establishing a technology micro-grant program at My Class Needs enables us to support students in Canadian publicly-funded schools by providing innovative resources and technology that enrich their learning experiences," says Amy Coupal, CEO at My Class Needs Foundation. "Because of Best Buy we are able to support students in STEM learning while promoting digital literacy."

The schools receiving micro-grants are:

• Magee Secondary – Vancouver, BC
• Burnaby Central Secondary – Burnaby, BC
• Burnaby South Secondary – Burnaby, BC
• New Westminster Secondary – New Westminster, BC
• Panorama Ridge Secondary – Surrey, BC
• Queen Elizabeth Secondary – Surrey, BC
• Semiahmoo Secondary – Surrey, BC
• Maple Ridge Secondary, Maple Ridge, BC
• Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School – Maple Ridge, BC
• Galt Collegiate Institute – Cambridge, ON
• Malvern Collegiate Institute – Toronto, ON
• Sutton District High School – Sutton, ON
• Halifax West High School – Halifax, NS

"We are excited to once again partner with My Class Needs to bring upgraded or increased technology to these classrooms," added Arsenault.

All twenty two schools will receive their funding in the coming weeks and celebrations will happen at the School Tech Grant recipient schools with the support of local Best Buy teams.

Best Buy Canada focuses its community investment on supporting youth to connect with technology to inspire, motivate and empower their education. Through this mission, Best Buy has provided more than 180 Canadian schools with grants to purchase new technology, in addition to offering post-secondary scholarships and supporting youth with hands on tech learning opportunities.

In the coming months, Best Buy School Tech Grants will offer elementary schools the opportunity to apply for funding for new technology. Educators interested in being notified when grants are next available can email [email protected].

For more information about Best Buy Canada's community investments, visit www.BestBuy.ca/Community.

About Best Buy
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY), Best Buy Canada Ltd. is one of Canada's largest and most successful omni-channel retailers, operating the Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile and Geek Squad (www.geeksquad.ca) brands. With nearly 200 Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores across Canada, and an expanded assortment of lifestyle products offered through BestBuy.ca, Best Buy is a leader in Total Retail, catering to customers how, when, and where they want to shop. Best Buy Canada is committed to making a positive impact in the community with programs and partnerships that support youth to connect with technology to advance their education. For more information visit BestBuy.ca.

SOURCE Best Buy Canada

For further information: Media contact: Laura Mitchell, Public Relations Specialist, E : [email protected], T : [phone]