SCI FI CHANNEL PARTNERS WITH THINKQUEST AS PART OF NETWORK'S NEW VISIONS FOR TOMORROW PUBLIC AFFAIRS INITIATIVE
Network, with the Support of NBC Universal Digital Media, Pledge to Expand ThinkQuest's Educational Digital Competition
New York - September 28, 2006 - SCI FI Channel today announced the launch of 'Visions for Tomorrow,' the network's new public affairs initiative, which engages individuals and organizations in exploring creative solutions to today's most pressing social concerns. In keeping with the channel's commitment to fostering an optimistic view of the future and to inspiring today's youth, the network has partnered with ThinkQuest New York City, a NYC-based nonprofit. The organization executes an annual competition whereby student teams engage in collaborative, project-based learning to create educational Web sites. The partnership between SCI FI Channel and the New York nonprofit will facilitate the new High School program inviting students to create and submit short films or public service messages portraying their "Vision for Tomorrow" in competition for a host of educational prizes. This program is made possible from a charitable contribution from NBC Universal Digital Media, it was announced today at SCI FI's 'WIRED' NextFest panel discussion Using Technology to Inspire Leadership and Action.
"At the heart of 'Visions for Tomorrow' lies our commitment to empowering young adults build a foundation for a better tomorrow but assuming a greater, more proactive role in society today," said Bonnie Hammer, President, USA Network & SCI FI Channel. "We are pleased to partner with ThinkQuest New York City as we launch a campaign to inspire, connect and galvanize people around today's most challenging issues."
"Ours is an organization that teaches children to apply technology, creativity and critical thinking skills to innovate solutions and solve problems for a range of societal issues. As such our mission dovetails perfectly with that of Visions for Tomorrow," added ThinkQuest New York City board member and 'Visions for Tomorrow' advisory board member Edie Weiner.
"In this age of convergence, technology enables users to be part of the creation process like never before," said Beth Comstock, President, NBC Universal Digital Media and Market Development. "ThinkQuest and SCI FI are giving students the unique opportunity to tap into their imaginations, become active storytellers and, with the utilization of technology, create an outlet for their voices to be heard. All of us at NBC Universal Digital Media are proud to support this important initiative."
ThinkQuest inspires students to think, connect, create, and share. Students work in teams to build innovative and educational Web sites to share with the world. Along the way, they learn research, writing, teamwork, and technology skills and compete for exciting prizes. The competition offers unique learning experiences to students and teachers across the globe. Everybody wins by having their completed websites published in the ThinkQuest NYC Library, a rich online resource visited by millions monthly.
SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 86 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.
ThinkQuest is the largest and fastest-growing Internet-based education program in the world, allowing students and teachers to work in teams to build high-quality educational websites on a variety of subjects. In the past six years, the ThinkQuest Library has grown to over 5,000 content-rich websites that are made freely available as learning tools via the ThinkQuest Library at www.thinkquest.org.
ThinkQuest New York City, inspired by the success of the International ThinkQuest Challenge, is a creative non-profit organization that brings together learning and technology for students and educators in New York City schools. In addition to the Internet Challenge, ThinkQuest New York City launched its coach training program in 2002. By the end of the 2005-6 academic year, the city-wide program had trained more than 500 educators, who in turn taught thousands of schoolchildren throughout New York City's five boroughs how to build educational websites. Additional information about ThinkQuest New York City can be found at www.tqnyc.org.
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