Orlando, FL (PRWEB) November 06, 2014
The DiSTI Corporation, a leading provider of graphical user interface software and customized 3-D virtual maintenance training solutions, raised $8,600 in its 5th annual DiSTI Duffer Charity Golf Tournament. All funds raised benefit the Central Florida STEM Education Council (CFSEC), which strives to develop a unified Central Florida STEM program to include mass communication, mentorships, and resources for parents, students, and educators through on-line and event venues.
The 2014 funds came in the form of donations from 15 corporate sponsors and a field of 98 golfers. DiSTI covers all of the costs related to the tournament including promotions, greens fees, food, and refreshments allowing 100% of the donations to go to the CFSEC.
The funds raised by DiSTI will support Central Florida STEM-related camps and activities. Funds from the previous tournaments supported the US Army PEO STRI High School Engineering Internship Program and the YMCA Robotics Academy. The Engineering Internship program uses the funding to purchase Sea Perch underwater robotics kits while the YMCA uses the funds to aide underprivileged students attend the Robotics Academy. Through these programs, young people are exposed to exciting, hands-on, and mentor-based programs that foster science, engineering, and technology skills. DiSTI understands the need to foster these skills within the community, and will continue to support this cause going forward.
“As a technology company, we witness firsthand the difficulty in finding talented people to hire. Students graduating with degrees in software development will never go hungry,” said President and CEO Joe Swinski. “If we as a community do not take an active role in supporting our youth to enter technology based career paths, our nation will struggle as a whole. While raising money is important, raising awareness is even more critical. I would encourage more of our community to get involved.”
According to the US Department of Education, the United States is falling behind internationally; ranking 25th in mathematics and 17th in science among industrialized nations, and only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in mathematics and interested in a STEM career. The need for STEM education is at an all-time high. In Florida, business leaders indicate that nearly 9 out of 10 new jobs that become available over the next decade will be in STEM fields, according to Florida’s Rural STEM initiative.
To learn more about Central Florida STEM Education Council, visit http://www.myawesomefloridacareer.com
To learn more about the annual DiSTI Duffer, visit http://www.disti.com/duffer
