The JetBlue Foundation and Project Scientist Empower the Next Generation of Girls in STEM

NEW YORK, August 2, 2018 /3BL Media/ – JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) today announced the latest collaboration between the JetBlue Foundation and Project Scientist to introduce science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and aviation careers to girls from traditionally under-represented communities. Project Scientist’s STEM Expedition Summer Academy is geared towards girls ages four to 12 and includes behind-the-scenes looks at STEM-focused companies and college programs. During these summer camps, girls learn directly from women in STEM fields.

The vision of Project Scientist is to transform the face of STEM by nurturing today’s future scientists who will lead the world in solving tomorrow's greatest challenges. Meanwhile, the JetBlue Foundation, a STEM education-focused entity, works to further JetBlue’s efforts to place aviation top-of-mind as a career choice for students.

“Cultivating an interest in STEM at a young age is critical to a variety of career opportunities, including aviation,” said Joanna Geraghty, president, JetBlue Foundation. “A strong STEM foundation early in a student’s academic career lays the groundwork for future success. To help the next generation of aviators take off, the JetBlue Foundation is focused on providing access and encouraging curiosity among all students.” 

According to Women in Aviation International, only seven percent of U.S. pilots are women. The JetBlue Foundation’s mission is to introduce students from traditionally underserved communities, particularly girls, to STEM and aviation and help increase these numbers.

The JetBlue Foundation has committed to provide ongoing support to help Project Scientist grow its STEM-related programming. On August 1, 2018, JetBlue hosted more than 60 Project Scientist campers at Long Beach Airport (LGB) in Southern California. Students received an overview of the airline’s operation and learned directly from pilots and other aviation professionals about the various career options available within an airline. The JetBlue Foundation sponsored a similar program last year for Project Scientist students in Charlotte, NC.

"For several years JetBlue has been a key supporter of our mission to educate, coach and advocate for girls with an aptitude, talent and passion for STEM," said Project Scientist CEO and founder Sandy Marshall. "JetBlue's continuing financial and educational support will help today's campers become tomorrow's problem solvers in science, technology, engineering and math." 

Project Scientist works with universities, research partners, and curriculum developers to offer educational programming for girls from low-income backgrounds to participate in hands-on experiments and partake in local field trips. Earlier this year, Project Scientist was the recipient of a grant from the JetBlue Foundation. This grant is funding their Pasadena and Orange County sites and providing scholarship support and the necessary infrastructure to position Project Scientist for growth. In 2016, Project Scientist received their first grant from the JetBlue Foundation to fund similar STEM programming. For more information on Project Scientist, visit www.projectscientist.org.

In addition to providing grants, the JetBlue Foundation also believes in the power of mentorship and in-kind support. Knowing that each grant recipient has unique needs, the JetBlue

Foundation lends a supportive hand in a variety of ways. From Q&A sessions with female engineers and pilots at JetBlue, to sponsoring aviation-related curriculum, to hosting tours at JetBlue’s airports and training centers, the JetBlue Foundation provides students with awareness and access to spark an interest in STEM and aviation.

Beyond just grants, the JetBlue Foundation provides internships and much more to make a difference for the next generation of aviators, engineers, dispatchers, schedulers, aircraft mechanics and pilots. Over the past five years, the Foundation has built ongoing relationships with nearly 40 aviation and STEM-focused programs and provided more than $750,000 in grants to help these programs take off and soar.

The JetBlue Foundation is currently accepting applications for the next round of grants. For grant criteria or to submit an application, go to jetbluefoundation.org. Visit the site for more information, to see how previous recipients have utilized their grants, examples of JetBlue Foundation partnerships in flight and other STEM-related news.

About JetBlue

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline^®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 40 million customers a year to 101 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 1,000 daily flights. For more information please visit www.jetblue.com.

About the JetBlue Foundation

The JetBlue Foundation, founded in 2013, is independent from JetBlue and has a separate Board of Directors and an Advisory Committee both made up of JetBlue crewmembers from across the airline. To learn more about the JetBlue Foundation, visit jetbluefoundation.org.

About Project Scientist

Project Scientist is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, coaching and advocating for girls and women with a passion, aptitude and talent for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Core programs include Project Scientist Academy, a six-week summer science intensive for girls ages 4-12 held on university campuses in North Carolina and California. All programs are research-based and 40% of services are scholarship-based. More information is available at www.projectscientist.org.

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