RAMSEY, N.J., Dec. 3, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Further reinforcing its dedication to education by helping to prepare students for the jobs of the future through 3D printing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) announced the donation of a Konica Minolta 3D Systems Cube Pro printer, to be utilized in Immaculate Heart Academy's (IHA) newly constructed STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) lab. Immaculate Heart Academy in the Township of Washington, NJ is an all-female college preparatory high school within the Archdiocese of Newark.
The donation is part of Konica Minolta's STEAM initiative to empower students and provide them with fun and creative pathways to learn the critical skills they will need to grow and thrive in the future. The CubePro, which prints in dual color and is a plug-and-play consumer 3D printer.
With the implementation of the STEM@theheart program, courses and clubs have been added to the IHA curriculum including Computer Programming and Java Programming. In the 2016-17 school year, Principles of Engineering, Introduction to Engineering Design, AP Physics and AP Computer Programming will all be introduced, among others. As for clubs, the STEM program allowed IHA to implement a Robotics Club and an Applied Engineering Club.
This past summer, members of their Robotics Club and moderator/technology teacher, Sharon Tassely Mistretta'75, competed in the international Google Moonbot Competition. In addition, members of the STEM program and these two specific clubs are excited to continue to represent IHA at various STEM-focused competitions this year and in the future.
"We're dedicated to inspiring students through introducing them to technologies like 3D printing and we're excited to bring this to IHA's STEM lab," says Kevin Kern, senior vice president, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, U.S.A., Inc. "We understand that when you make STEM education fun and hands-on, students are engaged and motived to excel. 3D printing is a powerful tool that provides students with the skills needed to succeed in STEM fields and to help prepare them for real world problem-solving."
"After introducing our STEM initiative in 2014, we have been focused on bringing in the technology that will allow our students to be immersed in cutting-edge programs," says Mrs. Stephanie Abdallah Brodeur'99, Assistant Principal of Academics and Technology. "The generous donation by Konica Minolta of a Cube 3D printer will help with the implementation of an engineering design course planned for the 2015-2016 school year."
3D printing is a process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file using additive processes, which creates an object by laying down successive layers of material.
About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. is a leader in information management focused on enterprise content, technology optimization and cloud services. Our portfolio of offerings deliver solutions to improve our customers' speed to market, manage technology costs, and facilitate the sharing of information to increase productivity. The All Covered IT Services division offers a range of IT strategy, support, project and cloud computing solutions across all verticals. Konica Minolta has won numerous awards and recognition, including placement in the Leaders Quadrant on the Gartner 2014 Magic Quadrant for Managed Print Services (MPS) and Managed Content Services (MCS). Konica Minolta has been recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for eight consecutive years. Konica Minolta, Inc. has also been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for four years in a row. For more information, please visit: www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us and follow Konica Minolta on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter @konicaminoltaus.
For general background information about Immaculate Heart Academy, please visit the overview section of the website here.
Press Contact:
Kristina Marchitto, Public Relations Manager
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
+1 201.236.4399
kmarchitto@kmbs.konicaminolta.us
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=37970
