/PRNewswire/ - As minority students and women are gravitating away from science and engineering toward other professions, and employment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields are increasing at a faster pace than in non-STEM fields, [1] educational experts say the U.S. must increase proficiency and interest in these areas to compete in the global economy. Today, Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Inc. and AT&T* announced a new program to help 450 area high school girls get interested in STEM classes and future careers.

The initiative, called "IMAGINE: Your STEM Future," is funded through a $1 million AT&T Aspire contribution designed to reach 6,000 young women, across the U.S., and introduce them to a variety of career options in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. AT&T's contribution is among the largest gifts ever made to Girl Scouts of the USA going toward STEM programs.

"Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson has some of the most promising young women eager to learn and make a positive impact in both their personal lives and future careers," said Jean Lewis, community development manager, Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson. "AT&T's contribution enables us to expand our focus to help them explore educational and workforce options."

Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson is one of 18 Girl Scout councils, selected through a national competitive grant process, to participate in the educational curriculum called IMAGINE, provided in a creative kit. The council will receive a $40,000 grant, made possible from AT&T's contribution to Girl Scouts of the USA, to conduct the program from November 2011 through summer 2012.

The IMAGINE curriculum offers opportunities for high school girls to team up with AT&T employees and other volunteers to participate in interactive activities and visual experiments, such as extracting DNA from a banana. These activities are designed to help students imagine a future STEM career and spark interest in taking additional STEM courses in high school and college and open doors to new career options.

Experts say the country's need for a world-leading STEM workforce will continue to grow.

Recent research from the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce predicts 2.8 million STEM job openings as of 2018, including 1.2 million net new jobs and an additional 1.6 million replacement openings. [2]

"The STEM disciplines are at the heart our business and we understand how essential they are becoming to every business and the growth of our economy," said Amy Hines Kramer, regional vice president of external affairs, AT&T. "We are committed to helping teens succeed and are excited that Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson has been selected to participate in this program and will help these young women develop more skills to enjoy productive and rewarding careers."

The other Girl Scout councils participating in IMAGINE are located in: Birmingham, Ala.; Irvine, Calif.; San Diego, Calif.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Jupiter, Fla.; Mableton, Ga.; Elgin, Ill.; Evansville; Ind.; Wichita, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo.; St. Louis, Mo.; Miquon, Pa.; Omaha, Neb.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Dallas, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; and Spokane, Wash.

The contribution was made through AT&T Aspire, a $100 million commitment with the goal of helping students achieve their best possible futures. Launched in 2008, AT&T Aspire is one of the largest-ever corporate commitments to address high school success leading to college and career readiness.

AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have given nearly $87 million to support STEM initiatives since 1995. Projects supported by AT&T contributions range from STEM scholarship programs and science/math focused summer camps for at risk youth to hands-on technology labs and elite robotics competitions at the nation's leading universities.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Inc. -- Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Inc. serves over 32,000 girls and more than 15,000 adult volunteers throughout seven counties in southeastern New York State. Its central administrative office is in Pleasantville, with regional offices in Kingston, Middletown, New City, Pleasantville, and Poughkeepsie. For information about joining, volunteering, or making a donation to Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Inc., contact (914) 747-3080 or visit www.girlscoutshh.org.

About Girl Scouts of the USA -- Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U or visit www.girlscouts.org.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

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About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and working with other organizations, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2010, more than $148.2 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

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[1] Report To The President, Prepare And Inspire: K-12 Education In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Math (Stem) For America's Future; President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology; September 2010

[2] Carnevale, Anthony et al. Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements through 2018. Georgetown University Center on the Education and the Workforce. June 2010.

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