BB2C Supports Students Affected by the Digital Divide with AT&T Foundation Grant

As part of AT&T’s nationwide commitment to help bridge the digital divide, the AT&T Foundation provided a $15,000 grant to Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C) to provide underserved students in the Mid-Ohio Valley with access to hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and to offset the homework gap exacerbated by the pandemic.

The grant was announced at BB2C’s community lunch event on Wednesday, where community leaders were invited to discuss how community and career-connected learning can positively impact local families. Using the AT&T Foundation grant, BB2C is introducing students in grades 6-12 to equipment, activities, and curriculum that revolve around solving community issues using STEM and sustainable solutions. Activities are designed to increase students’ critical thinking processes using STEM-2-Go Labs and tailored curriculum.

“Students in the Mid-Ohio Valley who may not have much exposure to STEM field careers had that division grow more pronounced during the pandemic,” said Washington County Commissioner Charlie Schilling. “We appreciate the support of the AT&T Foundation as BB2C helps students realize the opportunities and careers that are waiting for them in the STEM fields.”

“The AT&T Foundation grant has allowed us to build STEM-2-Go Labs and put them to use in local school districts,” said BB2C Executive Director Tasha Werry. “The Labs provide access to digital learning resources. Students receive STEM education through play and problem
solving. We thank the AT&T Foundation for investing in our students and our community.”

BB2C works with educators, community groups and business leaders to support successful students, prosperous businesses, and thriving communities by bridging the gap between education and employment.

“The pandemic heightened the challenges faced by many families,” said BJ Smith, AT&T Ohio External Affairs Director. “Under-resourced neighborhoods were hit particularly hard. AT&T is proud to help bridge the digital divide for our most vulnerable students.”

These efforts are part of AT&T’s $2 billion commitment to help bridge the digital divide through investments in digital literacy tools, education resources, broadband technology, low-cost internet service, and computers. AT&T is committed to connecting more Americans to reliable, high-speed broadband internet in several ways, including expanding and upgrading AT&T networks and participating in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and improving lives. As part of our company-wide $2 billion commitment from 2021-2023 to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning to invest in connectivity, technology, digital literacy, and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008, we’ve committed more than $600 million to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.