Project Homepage, a new kind of science fair perfectly suited to the 21st Century, introduces teenagers to the challenging field of electronics and promotes the critical thinking, math and science skills necessary to advance the electronics industry. An increasing number of electronics companies are supporting this program because they know that success in America's high-tech economy begins in the classroom. Through Project Homepage, member companies can do something concrete to help produce the skilled workers our industries need to prosper.

Project Homepage, sponsored by the Electronic Industries Foundation (EIF) --the philanthropic sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance -- pairs corporate engineers with teams of middle and high school students across the country to conduct collaborative research projects carried out via the Internet. Students pursue their work and collaborate with corporate engineers by e-mail to understand, conceptualize and develop solutions. As expert online advisors, the engineers help students discover for themselves how to solve real-world problems using technical applications based on the companies' technologies. Once the online research process is complete, the student teams design Internet homepages to present their conclusions. In the final stage of the program, the students' research projects compete in an Internet science and technology fair sponsored by the University of Central Florida College of Engineering.

This innovative "plug and play" program, developed as a curriculum tool for teachers, is based on the concept that technology is the application of science. Understanding how math and science are applied in the development of technologies improves achievement while building critical thinking skills. Project Homepage directly involves EIA member companies with schools to help make science and technology more relevant to teenagers. Students perform as young researchers following rigorous guidelines based on the national science content standards, developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and state science standards for curriculum integration.

Project Homepage has already boosted math and science education for hundreds of teenagers at a time when they are making life decisions and building loyalties. And because it is built across the Internet, Project Homepage supports companies' global strategies by reaching any school or student, even those located in rural areas or in other countries. Companies with teams in under served areas are not only increasing critical math and science skills, but helping to bridge the "digital divide" as well.

In only two years of operation, participation in Project Homepage has grown 500%. Moreover, the quality of the research is being recognized nationally. Last year, the Bergen Academy Team, sponsored by Leviton Manufacturing, was recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Medal of Technology Program.

Through extraordinary collaboration and the strong financial support of member companies, Project Homepage provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate good corporate citizenship while helping to prepare the next generation of talent for the electronics industry. EIF currently supports teams around the country and, increasingly, around the globe. We encourage you to join the growing number of companies who are participating in this program.

To learn more about Project Homepage and how you can participate, visit www.EIAfoundation.org or contact Kathy Warye, President, Electronic Industries Foundation at kwarye@eia.org or 703/907-7050.

Corporate Benefits

Project Homepage© …..

Engages companies as good corporate citizens by electronically linking their employees to classroom learning and their guidance to student performance.

Supports companies' global strategies, and helps to bridge the "digital divide," because the project is designed to reach students anywhere across the nation, in under served areas or in other countries.

Helps ensure future competent workers through the use of information technology tools, the teaching of science and technology through real world experiences and the building of critical skills.

Encourages engineers to get involved and lend their expertise, but takes little time and works online.

Provides companies with a unique opportunity to publicize their good works within the community and to promote nationally their commitment to education.

Provides a distinctive "branding" opportunity to connect products or services with the company name and to promote career opportunities.

Provides companies and schools with a "plug and play" project that outlines how to participate, the respective roles of each project participant (teachers, engineers and students) and examples of successful outcomes.

Uses guidelines that are predicated on national science content standards, developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and coordinated with state science standards.

Promotes a worthwhile experience for corporate employees because of the personal satisfaction in working directly with motivated students.

Partners corporations with middle and high schools where companies are headquartered, at other facility sites or in locations with no corporate presence.

Helps corporate leaders envision different directions for their companies' services or talents through the imagination of young researchers.

A contribution to Project Homepage can be taken as a pre-tax charitable contribution.

About the Electronic Industries Foundation
The Electronic Industries Foundation, is the 501(c)(3) philanthropic sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) - five allied organizations comprised of over 2,100 U.S. electronics companies. EIF was established in 1975 in the belief that the philanthropic and educational programs of Alliance members, while valuable to individual companies and their communities, would be much stronger if complemented by an industries-wide program with a common mission. Today, that common mission is to advance math and science education for a competent workforce.