Foundation Grant Archive

 Foundation Funds Uniforms in Arlington Texas Schools

 National Semiconductor presented a check for $30,000 to the Arlington Independent School District (AISD) May 20, 2004 to fund school uniform programs at 13 different Title I Schools.
A Title I school is one where the majority of the students qualify for federal free or reduced-cost lunch programs.

While 15 of the district's 73 schools require student uniforms, 13 of those schools largely serve financially disadvantaged students. Those student families often have a difficult time providing the required clothing.

Each of these schools has a "uniform closet." When a student is not properly dressed, the teachers or principal use the closet to help the student remain in compliance with dress code. Unfortunately, the closet is often empty. The Arlington site and the National Semiconductor Foundation decided to help keep those closets full.

During his presentation to the school board, National Semiconductor's HR Director Scott Kahl from Arlington outlined the positive impact of uniform programs in the district. Principals reported fewer office referrals for dress code, no gang-related attire, reduction of negative student interactions attributed to clothing, and an increased feeling of belonging in the student population. Most importantly, the focus in the classroom was on academics, not fashion.

Parents have also reported fewer morning hassles with their children involving school attire and improvement in the learning climate at school. Uniforms have helped them to address safety, security, and financial concerns involved in raising children in today's society. While one size never fits all, National Semiconductor's contribution to the AISD uniform program met the needs for a large population of local students.

 Rural Malaysia Benefits From E-Mobile Library

Abd Mubin, Melaka site HR Director, and Eddie Sweeney, Vice President of Worldwide Human Resources, participated in the official hand-over of the E-Mobile library to Melaka state officials on Apr. 21, 2004.
The E-Mobile will provide complete library services and Internet access to schools in rural areas of Melaka, reaching approximately 30,000 residents. Students, teachers, and community members will have access to the books and computers of the E-Mobile, including courses on basic computing and Internet use.

"With the E-Mobile library we are doing our part as good corporate citizens to help those who live in our community," said CS Wang, Melaka Managing Director.

Based on the smiling faces of the children in Sekolah Kebagsaan Pulai, where the ceremony took place, their efforts will have a positive impact for years to come.

 Grant Provides High-Tech Science Explorations in Texas

Each year, more than 5,000 Arlington 4th graders participate in the River Legacy Foundation's Young Scientists Program. During their field trips, the children learn about the ecology of the area by recording samplings of plants and animals and analyzing the data.
The River Legacy Parks, 375 acres with nature trails, picnic areas, and educational programs for the local schools and area residents, was opened in 1990 by the the River Legacy Foundation and the City of Arlington Parks and Recreation Department.

John Conn, Vice President of the Arlington fab said, "The River Legacy grant will benefit all 4th grade students in the Arlington Independent School District. Their understanding of science will improve as they use state-of-the-art technology to study their environment."

By the end of the pilot phase of the program, students will have access to an interactive website where they can create digital field guides of their studies at the River Legacy Parks.

According to Amy Walker of the River Legacy Foundation, "While traditional investigative tools like binoculars and magnifying glasses are the mainstay of the program, computer microscopes, digital cameras, and laptop computers allow the students and teachers to take their data back to the classroom for further investigation. This truly opens a new dimension of learning beyond the field trip."

 Young Engineers Club Established in Singapore

The Singapore Polytechnic Young Engineers Club, offers a wide range of courses in business, computing, maritime studies, multimedia, optometry, and engineering, business, and technology.

At the April 20, 2004 inauguration Parliamentary Secretary Hawazi Daipi, Ministry of Education and Manpower; CH Wan Singapore site Vice President and Managing Director; and Eddie Sweeney, National Senior Vice President of Worldwide Human Resources, made speeches to the audience of school principals and teachers, polytechnic lecturers, and students from about 30 schools.

Said CH Wan, "With this grant, the YEC will develop projects that let students learn from outside their classroom through experiments, laboratory development, and hands-on projects." They will work with small groups from the schools and hold talks and seminars.

Plans have also been made by the club to organize competitions among the students to stimulate intereste in engineering in the early stage of their secondary school education.

Some of the programs organized by Singapore Polytechnic for the YEC include: My Mobile Phone and Me, Learning through Robotic Soccor, Home Networking; The Easyer Way, Fun with Lego Robotics, Fun with Biomedical Instruments and a Junior Solar Sprint Competition.

CH Wan continued, "Our objective is to help advance education in the realm of science and engineering among the schools. Their contributions to breakthroughs in modern technology and environmental protection cannot be overlooked. Students are encouraged to explore and venture and experiment with new ideas that may open the window to technological and innovation in the future."

CH Wan added that the contribution to YEC is part of National's corporate citizenship objectives. "We will continue to identify and fund projects that help to advance the cause of education as well as improving and protecting the environment."

 Dental Health Arlington in Texas, Receives a Grant Worth Smiling About

In Tarrant County Texas, 90 percent of all low-income children need dental care. More than 50 percent of these children will never receive treatment for their dental disease.
Dental Health Arlington was created to address this shortcoming by providing free dental care and dental health education to very low-income families in Tarrant County.

Over the past 10 years, Dental Health Arlington has provided more than 21,000 free patient visits and dental health education to more than 40,000 children. In those 10 years, there has not been one day that they have not had more people come to the clinic needing care than they had the ability to treat.

The National Semiconductor grant of $25,000 will purchase a complete operatory of dental equipment, including a dental chair and operating unit, a dental light, stools, and an x-ray machine.

"The grant to Dental Health Arlington will aid the organization in providing dental care for economically disadvantaged children in the Arlington area", said John Conn, the Arlington plant's Vice President. "This Foundation grant will help many thousands of disadvantaged children." Now that's something to smile about.

 National Helps Girls For A Change in California

Girls For A Change, funded in part by the National Semiconductor Foundation, was created to spur community action among girls from low-income, high-crime neighborhoods. They're girls who would not otherwise be singled out as leaders.
The Summit, held on February 26, 2004 at the San Jose Convention Center, joined 500 women volunteers with more than 1,000 12- to 18-year-old girls throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

In addition to the workshops, the girls heard from elected officials, corporate leaders, and activists who encouraged them to believe in their ability to be social-change makers. The full-day event also featured hip-hop dance, punk rock music, poetry, and drumming performances by all-women groups.

But the Summit is just the beginning of the girls' experience with Girls For A Change. Following the event, the girls will break into action teams to design, fund, and implement social-change projects in their communities.

Women volunteers, including National employees Archana Madadi, Heather Babcock, and Peggy Alavi will serve as coaches, guiding and supporting the girls over the next year.

Archana, who will co-coach a team with Heather, said, "Meeting the girls for the first time was nerve-racking but at the same time exciting. We really hope to give the girls an experience they'll never forget."

Overall, it was an exciting, empowering and exhausting day for all involved!

 Grants Assist Student Care Services and Community Chest in Singapore

The School Social Work Program provides case management, family counseling and tutoring for children with behavioral and learning difficulties. In addition, the organization provides after-school programs that provide academic support and social activities for at-risk students.

In another community involvement event, National Singapore received a bronze award for its contributions to the Community Chest, a division of the Singapore National Council of Social Services. Employees make monthly donations to the Community Chest, a division of NCSS, which coordinates donations to affiliated charities.

 Greenock, Scotland High Schools Receives Grant for Math Program

Greenock High and Port Glasgow High will benefit from the Maths Alive program funded by the National Semiconductor Foundation grant.
The schools were selected after math teachers from Port Glasgow High and Greenock High demonstrated a commitment to making the subject more enjoyable for pupils by using the latest technology.

The aim of the Maths Alive project is to enhance the teaching and learning of math for pupils aged 12-18 while raising achievement levels and increasing motivation.

Both schools now have two classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards, multimedia projector, and PCs funded through the initiative. In the next stage of the project, teachers and pupils will be able to interact with ready-made lessons with the implementation of new software.

The project is designed to make math more appealing to students while allowing them to familiarize themselves with the latest technology, which they may come into contact with when looking for employment.

Initial feedback from the schools has been very positive with students from first to sixth year making full use of the equipment.

The next stage of the project will start soon, with the implementation of the new interactive software and staff training.

 Teachers Surprised With Cash Awards for Lesson-Enhancing Internet Ideas

Oct. 21, 2003 - National Semiconductor Corporation presented $100,000 in cash awards to teachers/teaching teams in California, Maine, and Texas in September and October, recognizing their creative projects that incorporate the Internet in the classroom.

National gave $10,000 cash awards to 10 teachers/teaching teams. The award money is for the teachers personal use to spend as they please, with no strings attached.

The 2003 Internet Innovator Award winners are:

CALIFORNIA

Casey McCullough, Bellarmine College Preparatory High School (San Jose): "Make a Difference: Earth Week Web Page." Student teams developed Web sites that analyzed the environmental consequences of every-day choices.

Kate Rivera, Camp Glenwood Court School (La Honda): "Broken Silence: Masks, Myths and Poetry." Students made ceramic masks and wrote myths as inspired by their creations. They created a Web site so the public could view their masks and myths in a virtual gallery.

Linda Rodriquez, James Logan High School (Union City): "Cultural Math: Journey to the Root of Mathematics." High schoolers developed a Web site for a new cultural math course and created Web pages covering the math of Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East.

MAINE

Neil Battagliese, Memorial Middle School (South Portland): "Are We Alone?" Middle schoolers researched university Web sites and conversed with astronomers and scientists to gather professional insight into questions not answered by textbooks.

Geraldine Crocker, Karen Fancher and Catherine Medd, Poland Regional High School (Poland): "Historic Architecture of the Knights." Students used their geometry, research, writing and Web-building skills to create a virtual tour of old homes and buildings in their community.

Melissa Noack, Yarmouth High School (Yarmouth): "The Classroom in the Community." Students explored their town's heritage and built a partnership with the community through the process of designing a Yarmouth town flag.

Julia O'Brien-Merrill and Susan Woodhams, Robert P.T. Coffin Elementary School (Brunswick): "Coffin School Multilingual Student Handbooks and Word Game." Bilingual students wrote a handbook and created presentations and Web pages in multiple languages for future students.

TEXAS

Kelly Frankum, Summit High School (Arlington): "Global Connections ?Connecting to Our Elected Representatives and the Community." Students chose a topic and became an "expert," facilitated a discussion on a message board and communicated with government officials in an attempt for them to respond.

Leanne Ingram, Willie Brown Elementary School (Mansfield): "Texas." Fourth graders used various electronic tools and systems such as Power Point, Excel, the Web and email to research and teach others about Texas.

Kellye Vandergriff, Mansfield High School (Mansfield): "The State of State Estuaries." Biology students learned skills for collaboration and community involvement via the Internet as they studied water-quality testing and published web pages showing their results.

An independent panel of judges, experts in education technology, reviewed the applications and selected all winners.

If you know a teacher who might be interested in applying for the 2004 school year, encourage them to visit www.nsawards.com for application information.

Since 1998, National has provided more than $2 million to teachers in California, Maine, and Texas recognizing their creative use of the Internet in the classroom. The Internet Innovator Awards were made through the company?s charitable foundation. Despite the economic downturn, National has provided substantial grants through its foundation, launched in August 2000 to support education and address critical community needs.

 Three Silicon Valley Teachers surprised with $10,000 Awards

In the seventh year of the Internet Innovator Awards program, National Semiconductor executives surprised three teachers in Santa Clara County with $10,000 personal awards.

Lewis Chew, CFO, presented Internet Innovator Awards to Linda Rodrigues at James Logan High School and Casey McCullough at Bellarmine College Preparatory School. Rodrigues developed a math project in which students used the Internet to research and teach others about mathematics in various cultures throughout history. McCullough had his science students investigate ways to improve the environment through everyday behaviors. The students then created a website to share their findings and encourage others to choose more environmentally-friendly behaviors.

Joe Montalbo, Vice President of Custom Solutions, traveled to Camp Glenwood, a camp for juvenile boys who are wards of the San Mateo Court Schools, to give Kate Riveira her $10,000 check. Riveira worked with the students to create ceramic masks, and then write myths and poetry for those masks. As they shared their work through a website, the students were rewarded with a greater sense of self-esteem and pride.

 National Foundation Grants $25,000 to Arlington Charities

Recent grants help improve the quality of life in Tarrant County Texas. The grants included $12,000 to Arlington Charities, $10,000 to the Arlington Life Shelter and $5,000 to Johns Elementary, located in East Arlington.
The gift awarded to Johns Elementary will help supply the school's Uniform Closet program, benefiting nearly 35 percent of the students whose families can't afford the mandatory school uniforms. The program provides these children with brand new uniforms to help them start school on a positive note.

Dr. Mac Bernd, Superintendent of Arlington Independent School District, said, "We are greatful to National Semiconductor for this generous contribution to Johns Elementary." The parents of Johns Elementary voted for their children to wear uniforms to school after learning about studies showing uniforms improve student learning and behavior. Most of the Johns Elementary student body comes from economically disadvantaged homes and cannot afford new clothes, but with National Semiconductor's financial assistance each student can now wear a new uniform. This, we believe, will lead to a successful learning environment at Johns.

A grant to the Arlington Life Shelter will allow it to purchase new computers, install a network, and develop a database that will aid the organization in tracking residents, former residents and their progress made in the program.

"Arlington Life Shelter values the partnership we have enjoyed with National Semiconductor for a number of years," said Becky Orander, Executive Director, Arlington Life Shelter. "Thousands of lives have been impacted thanks to the time given by National's employees and the financial support given by the corporation. The gift we received will enable the agency to develop the technical infrastructure needed to better track resident progress and agency's movement toward strategic goals."

The largest sum awarded went to Arlington Charities. The facility can purchase a new HVAC system and also install new computer equipment and software, and provide comprehensive training to volunteers and employees on the new system. National employees in Arlington are also advocates of the charity's school supply program each year.

Melanie Gibson, Director of Arlington Charities, said, "National Semiconductor is a long-time friend of Arlington Charities. They are our largest corporate donor, and we are deeply grateful for their support. This special grant for equipment is a Godsend to us. Our aging building and computers were demanding replacement this year. Without this grant, we could not have accomplished it. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to National Semiconductor, both local and national, for helping Arlington Charities to 'feed the hungry and clothe the poor'."

Giving back to the community is a way of life at National Arlington. "We are committed neighbors to the community we are in," said John Conn, site Vice President and General Manager. "We're proud to partner with Arlington Charities, the Arlington Life Shelter, and Johns Elementary to provide better tools and conditions for the volunteers and employees of these organizations, ultimately benefiting the deserving recipients of their unselfish and tireless work."

 Funds Expand University of Southern Maine's Technology Wing

May 29, 2003 - The National Semiconductor Foundation has made a grant of $150,000 to the University of Southern Maine (USM) to help fund an advanced technology wing in USM's John Mitchell Center, home to USM's School of Applied Science, Engineering, and Technology (ASET).

At a ceremony on May 23, National Semiconductor was recognized as a key contributor. Several well-known Maine companies, including National and Fairchild Semiconductor, have contributed to the $8 million needed.

National will have multiple naming opportunities for rooms within the new technology wing, enhancing awareness of the company among students.

"USM is a valuable partner/resource," said National South Portland's (NSME's) Training & Staffing Manager, Norm Pineau. "The university provides important workforce development opportunities for internal and external programming, and is an important source of college hires for the site."

National's South Portland site has a long-standing relationship with USM that includes the formation of the engineering school, the establishment of the BSEE degree program, significant equipment donations, and advisory board participation/guidance.

The site sees the expansion of the ASET facilities as integral to National's strategy for recruiting new college grads and for workforce development. It will also increase the local pool of potential college hires in several technology disciplines, and strengthen the instructional capacity for technology programs with improved laboratories and added classroom and conference space.

"This investment represents an effort between the public and private sectors to join together in tough economic times to deliver the academic and technical assistance programs that support a critical sector of the Maine economy," said USM President Richard Pattenaude.

John Wright, Dean of ASET, noted that his school exists to prepare the advanced technology workforce through academic majors, customized training, consulting, product testing and related services. "We now can develop more expertise in precision manufacturing and will have the capabilities to expand ASET's services to Maine industries and provide the customized training needed to grow those industries."

 National provides math, science grants to Mansfield School District

The National Semiconductor Foundation, in partnership with the Mansfield Independent School District Foundation recently provided the first of two annual National Semiconductor Science and Math Grants to teachers in Mansfield, Texas. The grant program is designed to encourage and reward teachers who use innovative, creative approaches to teaching 7th-12th grade math and science curriculum. The first winners of the National Semiconductor Science and Math Grant are Byron Barrett and Joe Feldstein, Mansfield High School Pre-Calculus and Physics teachers. The award is in support their project "Surveying the Right Angle". The funds will be used to purchase surveying equipment and global positioning hardware that students will use to apply classroom theory to a real life problem on campus. Students will collect data, interpret the results, draw diagrams of the problem and analyze the data to obtain the results. Use of this equipment will give the students hands-on learning experiences that directly translate into the working world skills - which for many students is the key to keeping them interested in math and science. According to Linda Bacsik, the Director of the Mansfield Independent School District Education Foundation, "The National Semiconductor Science and Math Grant provides teachers an opportunity to get more excited about teaching. Students look forward to coming to school because of the exciting projects they are working on." John Conn, Vice President and Managing Director of the Arlington plant joined Mansfield School District officials in a prize patrol that awarded the teachers the $10,000 Foundation grant in a surprise presentation at their school. "I am proud to be a partner with our local schools in the education of our youth. It is very important to me as Vice President of National Semiconductor Texas but also as a parent and citizen," John said in regards to the grants. A second National Semiconductor Science and Math Grant will be awarded to innovative teachers later this Spring. Shown in the picture are (Left to right), Debbie Fitzpatrick, Mansfield PTA President, Byron Barrett, one of the winning teachers, Jerry Kirby, Mansfield High School Principal, Hobey Strawn, a National Texas Engineering Manager, John Conn, Vice President and Managing Director of National Texas and Joe Feldstein, the other winning teacher.

 RAFT "Green Room" for California Teachers Established

Nearly 100 Silicon Valley elected officials, community and business leaders joined National Semiconductor Chief Financial Officer, Lewis Chew to celebrate the opening of the Resource Area for Teachers (RAFT) "Green Room."

The Green Room is a 1,100-square foot creative learning center funded by National's charitable foundation. Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA), who attended the event, was instrumental in securing a federal government grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

RAFT's Green Room is a facility to entice teachers to create hands-on activities for their students. It provides supplies, tools, equipment and instruction to make their own classroom projects such as math games. Research indicates that effective learning takes place when students engage in hands-on activities. Already immensely popular, over 1,400 teachers had used the Green Room in the month prior to its official grand opening.

RAFT named the new center the "Green Room" to parallel the entertainment industry's concept of a green room --the location where performers congregate and practice before they go onstage (or, in this case, the classroom). The name also connotes the "green" aspects of ecology since materials are recycled and reused for classroom projects rather than sitting in a landfill. In addition, the room happens to feature green furnishings, green shelving and green paint.

National's Foundation provided a challenge grant to construct the Green Room and is encouraging other corporations, foundations and individuals to contribute as well.

 Bringing Science Education to Rural India

Located 354 miles northwest of National Semiconductor's India Design Center in Bangalore, Jalihal is an impoverished, underdeveloped community. Basic infrastructure, roads, transportation, and health care are out of reach for villagers. Very few schools teach up to the 7th grade and only two high schools operate in the 22 villages surrounding Jalihal, which has more than 39,000 residents.
An employee team in National's India Design Center reviewed several requests for funding and submitted the request to the National Semiconductor Foundation in support of the project.

The $22,000 grant provided by the Foundation equipped the Center to provide science education to 973 5th-10th grade students who currently do not have access to any science or computer facilities in their schools.

The facility has the equipment to conduct basic experiments in physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as five networked PCs and educational software.

According to N.V. Deshpande, the Director of the Yerala Projects Society, "The ultimate aim of the Central Science Laboratory and Computer Center is to empower people to participate in the transformation of their lives.

This center will be instrumental in extending people's capabilities, developing their skills, improving their livelihoods and increasing their potential."

On January 10, 2003, the center celebrated its grand opening. Three hundred people attended, including village heads, parents, teachers, students, members of the Yerala Projects Society, educational experts, and journalists.

As soon as it opened, the center was greeted with a rapid influx of enthusiastic students. The tour was followed by speeches by dignitaries who stressed the importance of scientific education.

According to Ashok Kumar, the General Manager of National's India Design Center, "After our interaction with various people we found out that parents and students are interested in education. Children have potential, and many of them are bright. What´s needed is the right environment and opportunity to express their potential."

 Grant Brings Energy Conservation to Singapore Schools

The Energy Conservation Learning Center, a joint effort between Marsiling Secondary School and Singapore Polytechnic, was made possible by a National Semiconductor Foundation grant of $66,000 over a two-year period, with the possibility of extending support into a third year.
With the grant, the school has established the Energy Conservation Learning Center, which will serve as a resource center for teachers and students at Marsiling Secondary School and 13 neighboring schools.

The grant also funded the purchase and installation of energy-saving devices and solar panels at the school. The students, able to see the benefits of energy conservation first-hand, have recently completed group research projects on the various uses of solar energy.

The project will also provide teacher training, educational events, and student contests on solar power and energy conservation, benefiting more than 15,000 students in Singapore.

The event, attended by more than 200 community leaders, educators and students, included presentations by the Mayor of the North West Community Development Council District and National Singapore's Vice President and Managing Director, CH Wan.

 Texas Teachers Receive Grants For Innovative Teaching of Science & Math

The National Semiconductor Foundation, in partnership with the Mansfield Independent School District Foundation recently launched the National Semiconductor Science and Math Grants Program. The grant program is designed to encourage and reward teachers who use innovative, creative approaches to teaching 7th-12th grade math and science curriculum.

The first winners of the grant are Byron Barrett and Joe Feldstein, Mansfield High School Pre-Calculus and Physics teachers. The award is in support their project "Surveying the Right Angle". The funds will be used to purchase surveying equipment and global positioning hardware that students will use to apply classroom theory to a real life problem on campus. Students will collect data, interpret the results, draw diagrams of the problem and analyze the data to obtain the results.

Use of this equipment will give the students hands-on learning experiences that directly translate into the working world skills - which for many students is the key to keeping them interested in math and science. According to Linda Bacsik, the Director of the Mansfield Independent School District Education Foundation, "The National Semiconductor Science and Math Grant provides teachers an opportunity to get more excited about teaching. Students look forward to coming to school because of the exciting projects they are working on."

John Conn, Vice President and Managing Director of National's Arlington plant joined Mansfield School District officials in a prize patrol that awarded the teachers the $10,000 Foundation grant in a surprise presentation at their school. "I am proud to be a partner with our local schools in the education of our youth. It is very important to me as Vice President of National Semiconductor, Texas but also as a parent and citizen," John said in regards to the grants.

A second National Semiconductor Science and Math Grant will be awarded to innovative teachers later this Spring.

 National Foundation Contributes $500,000 to Maine Teacher Training

Reaffirming our ongoing support of education in Maine, National Semiconductor announced that it will donate technology training, valued at $500,000, to 2,000 Maine teachers over the next three years.

On Sept. 5, 2002, Maine Governor Angus King hosted an event to highlight the MLTI and formally announce National's donation. South Portland's Public Affairs Manager Anne Gauthier and Training Manager Norm Pineau represented National Semiconductor at the Governor's event.

The donation will support the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI), a program, which provides a laptop to every seventh-grader in the state.

National's Global Connections trainers, all of whom are credentialed educators, will work with the Maine Department of Education to provide professional development tailored to schools in the MLTI program.

National's "Global Connections" training courses provide teachers with the knowledge, skills and support necessary to integrate the Internet into their curriculum. Teachers in Maine can take a variety of Global Connections courses and also receive in-house consulting time to help implement what they've learned into their individual classrooms.

 National Foundation Donates $120,000 for Ten Dialysis Machines in Melaka

Melaka, Malaysia, June 21, 2001- The National Semiconductor Foundation has donated $120,000 to the haemodialysis center of St. John Bachang, Melaka, for the purchase of 10 dialysis machines.
In Malaysia, affordable dialysis treatment is not readily available for lower-income kidney failure patients. In the state of Melaka, there are only two nonprofit centers that provide treatment at a rate affordable by most Malaysian.

Between those two centers, there is a list of 106 patients awaiting treatment. The centers are fully scheduled with existing patients, therefore, waiting-list patients only received treatment if an existing patient died.

"The donated machines will allow the dialysis center to treat 40 additional patients who were awaiting treatment. For some of these patients, this donation is the difference between life and death", said Doreen Lee, NS Melaka Site Communicator. "We have been wanting to support this effort for many years and were able to do it with the establishment of National's Foundation."

 National Foundation Provides Dialysis Machines in Malaysia

Melaka, Malaysia, June 21, 2001- The National Semiconductor Foundation has donated $120,000 to the haemodialysis center of St. John Bachang, Melaka, for the purchase of 10 dialysis machines.

In Malaysia, affordable dialysis treatment is not readily available for lower-income kidney failure patients. In the state of Melaka, there are only two nonprofit centers that provide treatment at a rate affordable by most Malaysian.

Between those two centers, there is a list of 106 patients awaiting treatment. The centers are fully scheduled with existing patients, therefore, waiting-list patients only received treatment if an existing patient died.

"The donated machines will allow the dialysis center to treat 40 additional patients who were awaiting treatment. For some of these patients, this donation is the difference between life and death", said Doreen Lee, National Malaysia's Site Communicator. "We have been wanting to support this effort for many years and were able to do it with the establishment of National's Foundation."

 Foundation Grant Helps Singapore Children Learn Benefits of Recycling

Singapore, June 11, 2001 - National has donated $10,800 to the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) to underwrite a program for educating children about environmental issues and waste minimization.
National's grant, made through the company's foundation, will enable 400 children and their parents to be part of the "Junk Science: Fun Science Experiments with Recyclables!" program.

Wan Choong Hoe, National Singapore VP and Managing Director, announces the grant to students at the Stamford Road Library.

It features hands-on activities to help children between the ages of six and 12 understand the importance of recycling to protect the environment.The program includes activity books and interactive workshops for science experiments using recyclable materials found in the home.

"National Semiconductor is committed to protecting and preserving the environment, and we have a strong history of supporting education" said Wan Choong Hoe, Vice President and Managing Director of National Semiconductor Singapore. "The SEC's project brings these two areas together very well, which is why we are pleased to lend our support."

Added Lim Soon Chung, project executive for the Singapore Environment Council, "We hope to engage children and instill the importance of minimizing waste as they use recyclable materials for hands-on science experiments. We are thrilled that National Semiconductor's contribution helps us bring this worthwhile program to the community."

 Equiping Inverclyde Schools with the Latest Technology

Greenock, Scotland, May 2, 2001 - Science education in Inverclyde, Scotland schools will be technologically advanced thanks to a $100,000 donation from the National Semiconductor Foundation.
Gerry Edwards, Vice President and Managing Director of National's Greenock plant, presented a check of $50,000 for the first phase of the project to Bernard McLeary, Director of Education Services, at National on April 30th, 2000.

National's donation enables Inverclyde Education Services to provide schools with today's technology, including IBM ThinkPad laptop computers. This donation enables pupils in Inverclyde to experience the best in science education by incorporating technology into their scientific experiments.

The computers will initially be used in physics lessons. The laptops will be combined with interfacing equipment produced locally in Inverclyde. Pupils will do experiments, take measurements, draw graphs, and analyze data very quickly, taking away a lot of the drudgery of science experiments. "It will motivate pupils," said Bernard McLeary.

Each of the four schools will receive: Five IBM Celeron 633 Multimedia ThinkPad computers, One network printer, five licenses for Office Pro, school license for physics software, interfacing equipment and a ThinkPad trolley

Gerry Edwards commented: "National Semiconductor is committed to creating and maintaining links with local schools and pupils. This donation to science education supports pupils, enticing them to learn science in new and exciting ways."

 Greenock Scout Camp Receives Donation for Improvements

Greenock, Scotland, May 2, 2001 - Everton Scout Camp received a major cash boost of $30,000 from the National Semiconductor Foundation. The money is funding a general camp upgrade, with wheelchair-friendly adaptations a top priority. Log seating around the campfire and an 'open air' meeting place will also be installed.
National Semiconductor's Greenock Finance Director, Donald McRae, presented the check to Ken Wilson, District Commissioner of Greenock Scouts on March 13 at the Scout headquarters, where members of National's Community Care Team and Greenock Scouts joined him.

Ken Wilson said, "The local Scout Council is absolutely delighted by the support of a major employer such as National Semiconductor. This outstanding grant from their Foundation gives a tremendous boost to the work being done at the site."

New facilities will provide for youngsters with special needs. For example, pathways to activity areas currently inaccessible to young people in wheelchairs will be constructed; land will be drained and reclaimed for special needs activity, and the lodge building and current activity areas will be renovated to become more user friendly. The Camp has 14 individual patrol campsites, a modern lodge building, a swimming pool, and an abundance of activity areas offering opportunities for young people to enjoy the outdoors and develop social skills.

"My personal thanks to the team at National Semiconductor Greenock for the enthusiastic way they have helped bring this tremendous aid to fruition. I look forward to working with them as the project develops," Wilson added.

 National Gives $250,000 to Arlington Schools for Science Curricula

Arlington, Texas, March 30, 2001 - The National Semiconductor Foundation announced today it has donated $250,000 to the Arlington Independent School District (AISD) to purchase 300 hands-on science kits for classrooms throughout AISD's 47 elementary campuses.

The Full Option Science System (FOSS) kits bring students together in small work groups to conduct experiments on topics such as sound, magnetism and electricity. FOSS curriculum kits are currently used in many schools throughout the U.S. and have received praise from teachers as well as students. National's grant will provide kits for AISD's third, fourth and fifth grade students. The donation also includes teacher training and support throughout the three-year commitment of the program.

National presented the $250,000 check today during a special school assembly at Key Elementary School in Arlington. Governor Rick Perry was on hand for the celebration as was Elzie Odom, the mayor of Arlington. At the event, students from Key School demonstrated three FOSS experiments including "The Physics of Sound," a hands-on activity exploring the science and creation of sound.

"The state of Texas encourages business and school partnerships like the one announced today by National Semiconductor and AISD," said Governor Perry. "I applaud joint efforts which fully support our students and entice them to learn in new and exciting ways."

"Numerous studies have shown that hands-on and interactive projects effectively instill key concepts and help students learn," said Mac Bernd, AISD's superintendent. "Our district is appreciative of National's grant which will stimulate children's interest in science."

"This grant builds upon National's long-standing partnership with AISD and emphasizes our commitment to the students in Arlington," said John Conn, Vice President and Managing Director of National's Arlington facility. "Developing an affinity for science is imperative for kids who want to pursue careers in technology.

 $1.35M Grant Will Create Mixed Signal Systems Laboratory and Distinguished Professorship

Berkeley, California, March 13, 2001 - To improve the quality of laboratory space and enhance the university's ability to attract and retain outstanding faculty members, the National Semiconductor Foundation awarded a $1.35M grant to UC Berkeley's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department.

According to National Semiconductor's University Relations Manager David Crook, the "EECS department at UC Berkeley currently faces a number of challenges - chief among them are a pressing need to update and augment their laboratory facilities, and the development of tools which will allow them to better retain and attract top faculty members. This grant specifically addresses those needs, while also improving National's visibility and image with the faculty and students in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department."

The grant will fund two specific efforts: the renovation of a key undergraduate electronics laboratory and the establishment of the National Semiconductor Distinguished Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

The first installment of $350,000 was paid to UC Berkeley in February 2001, with the remaining $1M to be paid in equal installments over the next four years. The National Semiconductor Mixed-Signal Systems Laboratory is currently under construction with a planned opening in early 2002.

 National Semiconductor Foundation Supports Major Education Initiative in Maine

Augusta, Maine, November 11, 2000- Thanks to the National Semiconductor Foundation's $284,000 grant to the Maine Department of Education, Maine superintendents and principals will be better prepared to lead their districts and schools with integrated technology plans. The "Leading to Change" program, funded by National, the Gates Foundation and other Maine companies, is the most ambitious school leadership program in Maine's history.
The project will provide every school leader in Maine access to expanded professional development opportunities intended to prepare them for technology leadership roles in their schools. The focus is on the use of technology to expand teaching and learning opportunities for students and to effectively implement the Maine Learning Results.

Coordinated by National's Public Affairs Manager Anne Gauthier, National's support includes a cash grant of $60,000 and 64 Global Connections Internet training courses valued at $224,000. National's Global Connections training courses will teach superintendents and principals to use the Internet to enhance their leadership skills and become technology leaders in their schools.

"Leading to Change" is a three year project in which National will be actively involved. The first training sessions will be held in Augusta, Maine, July 25th and 26th for 39 steering committee members who are responsible for promoting technology as a tool for learning throughout Maine's school districts.

 National's Foundation Funds Effort to Improve Children's Dental Health

San Jose, California - August 26, 2000 - In the United States, over half of six to eight year-old children have active tooth decay that goes untreated. As a result of dental problems, these children miss more than five million school hours per year.

In San Jose, recent studies showed that over 50% of low-income children are in need of dental treatment. In November 2000, PRASAD Children's Dental Health Program started bridging the gap in access to care within the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District.

National Semiconductor, one of the founding corporate sponsors, provided a three-year $75,000 grant to help establish the program in this area. The mission of the Children's Dental Health Program is to "improve the quality of life and enhance opportunities for self-reliance for children and families."

The comprehensive program, which launched May 2000 includes:

Dental Assessment: Elementary school children are screened regularly to assess the need for care and evaluate the overall status of the children's dental health.

Dental Health Education: A comprehensive classroom education and prevention program delivers information and provides support to children and their families improving their dental health.

Mobile Dental Clinic: A state-of-the-art mobile dental clinic, staffed by a dentist and dental assistant provides dental exams, digital radiography, restorative treatment and other dental procedures free of cost for eligible students.

Since beginning operations, the mobile unit has provided over 1242 dental treatments to 118 children. Dental sealants and restorations are the most common procedures performed.

Most of the children served by the mobile dental unit have never visited a dentist before. According to Valerie Stinett, the PRASAD Program Director, "When dental disease is treated, children can concentrate their efforts on school work, which in turn results in higher self-esteem."

The families of the children served are also thankful to have this dental health resource available through the school. In the words of the grandmother of a recent patient, "thank you for the beautiful dental work that was done for my grandson's chipped tooth. There's no sign of a chipped tooth and he now has a beautiful smile."

Over the next five years the PRASAD Children's Dental Health Program hopes to expand its services to reach even more children in the area.

 National's Foundation Presents Resource Area for Teachers With $150,000 Donation

Santa Clara, California, August 25, 2000: National Semiconductor reaffirmed its longstanding support for education by presenting a $100,000 cash donation to Resource Area For Teachers (RAFT), a San Jose-based nonprofit organization that collects and distributes surplus items at a minimal cost to teachers for use in innovative classroom programs. The company also said that it would make available $50,000 of in-kind training for teachers to participate in its unique Global Connections Internet training courses, for a total grant to RAFT of $150,000. Through Global Connections courses, National has provided hands-on training for more than 9,000 teachers worldwide in creative ways to use the Internet in the classroom.

"National's key community focus is to dramatically improve the quality of math, science, and technology education in our schools," said Don Macleod, National's Chief Financial Officer. "By working closely with innovative partners such as RAFT, we are helping our teachers more effectively deliver stimulating hands-on programs to their students."

"National's gift to RAFT offers huge support as we continue to grow and serve thousands of teachers in our community," said Mary Simon, Executive Director of RAFT. "RAFT acts as a vehicle for the community to come together to improve the quality of education, especially in the areas of math, science, and technology."

The $150,000 gift to RAFT marks the debut of the National Semiconductor Foundation, a new $20 million charitable fund created to provide grants for education and critical community needs.

Founded in 1995, RAFT is a unique nonprofit agency that serves more than 4,000 member teachers every year. Rather than send items to a landfill, RAFT accepts donations of surplus office supplies, computers, printers, new and used products of every description and makes them available to teachers for a minimal cost throughout the year. Teachers shop for items at RAFT's huge warehouse facility in San Jose, and pay a fraction of the cost they would normally pay for the items. And because Silicon Valley is home to many state-of-the-art technologies, teachers and students use many of the items to kick-start creative science, math, and art projects in the classroom.

To date, more than 1,000 companies have provided 585,000 cubic feet of materials that have been used by 450,000 Bay Area children. In 1999, RAFT was selected by Philanthropy Magazine as one of 16 nonprofit organizations considered the "best, most effective," in the United States.