American Honda Foundation supports NTID program

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The American Honda Foundation has donated $55,330 to help support summer camps at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf for deaf and hard-of-hearing children interested in technology.

TechGirlz and TechBoyz are six-day summer camps for 7th, 8th or 9th graders who are deaf or hard of hearing and interested in science, technology, engineering and math. The campers come to the RIT campus from across the country, and one this year includes a camper from Spain. They use lab equipment to solve problems, enjoy social activities such as learning the principles of a roller coaster while visiting an amusement park, and learn career options.

“Every year, TechGirlz and TechBoyz participants tell us that the hand-on components of the camp, such as robotics or building a computer to take home, are their favorite activities,” said Mark Sommer, senior director for NTID’s Outreach Consortium. “The American Honda Foundation’s support enables us to offer activities that give students a taste of what it’s like to work in a STEM field — a taste that can lead to a career choice in sciences, technology, engineering or mathematics.”

Sixty-five campers have registered for this year’s programs, which will be held July 28 through Aug. 2.

“Through grant giving, the American Honda Foundation seeks to develop youth in the areas of math, science, engineering, technology and literacy,” said Alexandra Warnier, manager at American Honda Foundation. “We are proud to partner with RIT/NTID on its important contribution in this area and look forward to the impact and results that will be achieved.”

Established in 1984, the American Honda Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations that benefit the people of the United States in the areas of youth and scientific education, with a specific focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in addition to the environment. The foundation engages in grantmaking that reflects the basic tenets, beliefs and philosophies of Honda companies, which are characterized by the following qualities: imaginative, creative, youthful, forward-thinking, scientific, humanistic and innovative. Since its inception, more than $30 million has been awarded to organizations serving approximately 115 million people in every state in the U.S.