For the third consecutive year, the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is pleased to have received a generous donation from Ofinno to combat “Summer Slide”—a decline in the skills that students attain during the school year—through the popular Smithsonian Science Summer School (S4) program.
Thanks to Ofinno, an R&D lab in Reston, VA that specializes in 5G, IEEE WiFi, and video compression technologies, SSEC and program partner Horizons Greater Washington will be able to continue this very popular local program. S4 is a six-week, summer enrichment course of STEM instruction for students in grades 1-6. Each year since 2018, the program has provided Smithsonian STEM curriculum materials and professional development to Horizons’ teachers and conducted highly immersive learning experiences—virtually and in-person—at various Smithsonian museums for nearly 100 DC-area, economically disadvantaged students to help reduce the summer skills gap.
“Practically every aspect of modern life is defined by STEM and young people need to be equipped with the right skills to compete in a STEM-based, 21st Century workforce,” said Esmael Dinan, founder and chief executive officer at Ofinno. “Ofinno is proud to support such a robust and stimulating program like S4. One of our core values is to question everything, and we hope this initiative will ignite that spark of curiosity in youth that may grow into a fulfilling career in STEM.”
The Smithsonian Science Education Center is delighted to continue its rewarding and productive collaboration with Ofinno.
About the Smithsonian Science Education Center
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is transforming K–12 Education Through Science in collaboration with communities across the globe. The SSEC is nationally and internationally recognized for the quality of its programs and its impact on K–12 science education. Visit the SSEC website and follow SSEC on Twitter and Facebook.
About Horizons Greater Washington
Horizons Greater Washington is an award-winning, tuition-free academic and enrichment program serving students from under-resourced communities in Washington, DC and Maryland.
About Ofinno, LLC
Ofinno, LLC, is a research and development lab based in Northern Virginia, that specializes in inventing and patenting future technologies. Ofinno’s research involves video and communication technologies, including 5G and 6G Radio and Core networks, IEEE 802.11 WiFi standards, and video compression technologies and transport. Ofinno’s inventions have an impressive utilization rate and have been adopted by the standards at the center of advancement of these technologies. Our innovators not only create the technologies, they oversee the entire process from design to the time the technology is sold. For more information about Ofinno, please visit www.ofinno.com or connect with Ofinno on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/ofinno/.
This press release was originally posted by the Smithsonian Science and Education Center here.
