Hewlett-Packard will provide education grants of more than $7M to the U.S. and Puerto Rico’s 172 public K-12 schools, two- and four-year colleges, universities, and other institutions. The grant funds are intended to encourage innovation in the classroom using technology and encourage careers in science, engineering, and mathematics.

“We invest in schools to increase educational attainment and contribute to the development of a skilled, diverse work force in the future,”Sidney Espinosa was the director of HP’s Philanthropy Programs.

The grant recipients are schools from 37 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Many grant proposals include plans for teachers and students to use mobile technology outside of the classroom to learn more about the environment, and then to enhance their learning in the classroom via the Internet.

HP has awarded nearly $4.1million to five teams comprising K-12 public school teachers in cash and equipment. Schools with low-income students were given preference. This includes projects that include science and math.

Each team will receive a prize package worth more than $31,000, which includes HP Tablet PCs and multimedia projectors, HP digital cameras and HP Officejet All in-Ones, software, accessories, professional development options, and a cash stipend.

The International Society for Technology in Education offers a professional development program for teachers. It includes customized mentoring and learning opportunities as well as an online learning community that shares best practices.

42 universities and colleges will also receive $2.9 million in cash, and equipment. Each package contains HP products including HP Tablet PCs, ProCurve wireless access point, and a faculty stipend.

Higher education grants are used to support course design in order to increase the number students who graduate with degrees such as engineering, computer science, and environmental science.

In total, HP has donated $36 million to HP Technology for Teaching grants since 2004 to over 650 schools around the world. Over the past 20-years, HP has donated more than $1 Billion in cash and equipment worldwide to schools, universities, community groups, and other non-profit organizations.

Visit this page for more information and to see a list of HP grant recipients in your state. www.hp.com/go/hpteach