Cox Communications and The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast cut the ribbon on a brand-new Cox Innovation Lab located at the Pensacola Club (Englewood) yesterday afternoon. The Pensacola Club was selected to receive a $20,000 grant from Cox to upgrade the existing facility with new software, hardware, and other updates to encourage STEM learning.
The enhancement involves safe, comfortable seating, whiteboard tables to serve as a collective workspace, STEM Lab supplies, 3-D printers, laptops, desktops, and headphones for all computers. All youth will have the opportunity to access and utilize the enhanced lab. Youth will have scheduled time periods to visit the designated tech space various times each week.
"We are thankful for Cox Communications and their strong partnership; because of them, we are now able to offer the up-to-date technology our young people need to excel in competitive fields,” said Shervin Rassa, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. “This impact is monumental and we thank everyone who came together to make the Cox Innovation Lab happen here in Pensacola."
“The Cox Innovation Lab donation is an investment in technology and an investment in our area students so they can learn, grow and thrive in a digital world. Our company’s founder, Governor James M. Cox, began his career as a teacher so he knew the importance of a strong education,” said David Deliman, Cox Gulf Coast Market Vice President. “That’s why Cox has such a legacy in helping children prepare for their future and why we are gifting these upgrades – to help with homework assignments, creativity, digital literacy and so much more.”
The enhancement upgrades the designated tech space and moves it toward a functional digital studio where teens can work together or individually on a variety of projects such as digital media, blogs, electronic portfolios, video recording/editing, podcast, graphic design, coding, and animation. Youth can also participate in MyFuture and DIY STEM activities inside the digital studio.
