TEANECK, N.J., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) today announced plans to expand its Making the Future education initiative, focused on inspiring children with a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Launched at the World Maker Faire in New York last year, Making the Future supports nationwide after-school and summer programs, awards U.S.-based college scholarships, sponsors a permanent exhibition at the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI), and inspires countless students to pursue their interest in STEM disciplines. Making the Future's 2012 milestones include:

• Supporting 10 after-school and summer programs initiated to facilitate hands-on, STEM-based learning. Cognizant's grants funded tools, materials, and instructor stipends for programs at venues including the Newark Museum, the Children's Aid Society, and the Detroit Public Library.
• Launching a U.S. scholarship program that awarded $5,000 scholarships to students pursuing STEM-related undergraduate degrees. The design-based scholarship program required candidates to submit a video summary of their projects that showed the creativity and innovation behind them and was judged by a committee chaired by NYSCI CEO Margaret Honey.
• Unveiling the Cognizant Maker Space at NYSCI. The space is a 1,200-square-foot area where schools, families, and aspiring Makers can learn the tools and techniques of physical and digital Making in a collaborative setting.
• Co-founding the Maker Education Initiative, a new non-profit organization created to develop more opportunities that fuel interest in STEM, the arts, and learning as a whole.
• Committing to Maker Corps, a program that hires young adults to mentor and educate children in after-school and summer programs inspired by the Maker Movement.

"In year one of this program, we've seen tremendous interest from children, parents, and youth-serving organizations across the country," said Mark Greenlaw, vice president of sustainability and educational affairs at Cognizant and program director of Making the Future. "The hands-on nature of Making is a perfect match for children and vital in helping them create, collaborate, and unlock new skills and interests in STEM."

As part of its expanded commitment to Making the Future, Cognizant released 2013 program goals. Next year, the company will double the number of after-school programs from 10 to 20 and will award college scholarships to 20 students. The application period for 2013 scholarships begins October 1, 2012.

"Making the Future forms an important part of our endeavor to encourage educational innovation and creative empowerment," said Francisco D'Souza, CEO of Cognizant and member of the NYSCI board of trustees. "It is critical that we provide opportunities for children to unleash their creativity. We believe the Making the Future initiative and our work with the Maker Movement can serve as a blueprint for efforts to promote innovation and ignite a passion for STEM disciplines."

Cognizant Supports Innovators at World Maker Faire 2012
Cognizant will sponsor the Young Maker's Pavilion at the 2012 World Maker Faire, a celebration of invention, creativity, and DIY culture, to be held September 29 and 30 at NYSCI. As part of the sponsorship, Cognizant will showcase young makers from its after-school and summer programs who will teach attendees to make and create fun things using electronics, digital fabrication tools, open source hardware, and the Scratch programming language. Recipients of 2012 scholarships will also be on hand to demonstrate their winning projects, including a robot designed and constructed to draw on an etch-a-sketch and a detachable adherent light designed to be carried by firemen to help them quickly and safely enter and exit burning buildings.

Cognizant's Mark Greenlaw will moderate a session on September 30 from 12-1 p.m. on the Make Live stage. The session, called, "Meet the Young Makers," will feature several young Makers who will discuss how they became interested in Making, what they create, and what advice they may have for the next generation of Makers.

This year's Maker Faire at the New York Hall of Science is expected to draw more than 30,000 visitors and feature more than 500 Makers of all ages. It will feature exhibitors and sessions on robotics, open source hardware, 3D printing, and speakers such as Chris Anderson, David Pogue, and Seth Godin.

About Cognizant
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant combines a passion for client satisfaction, technology innovation, deep industry and business process expertise, and a global, collaborative workforce that embodies the future of work. With over 50 delivery centers worldwide and approximately 145,200 employees as of June 30, 2012, Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 2000, and the Fortune 500 and is ranked among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world. Visit us online at www.cognizant.com or follow us on Twitter: Cognizant.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cognizant undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Cognizant