TEANECK, N.J., Sept. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) today announced the expansion of its Making the Future education initiative with additional after-school and summer programs and scholarships. For the third consecutive year, Cognizant will also sponsor the Young Makers pavilion at World Maker Faire, which will bring together tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, and engineers of all ages on September 21 and 22 at the New York Hall of Science in New York City.

Launched at the 2011 World Maker Faire, Cognizant's Making the Future initiative is focused on inspiring in children a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by providing fun, hands-on learning opportunities. As part of the initiative, Cognizant supports nationwide after-school and summer programs, awards U.S. college scholarships, sponsors a Maker Space at the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI), and inspires countless students to pursue their interest in STEM disciplines.

The Young Makers pavilion at World Maker Faire will feature young makers from Cognizant's after-school and summer programs to demonstrate innovations and lead STEM workshops in which children will make synthesizers, solar lanterns, and digital microscopes, dissect a Rubik's Cube, and program MIT's Scratch programming language to work with a joystick soldered together by the children.

In 2013, Cognizant supported 25 after-school and summer programs, surpassing its goal of sponsoring 20 programs. Cognizant plans to issue up to 25 additional grants for after-school and summer programs in 2014. Cognizant will also award college scholarships to up to 20 students in 2014. The application period for 2014 grants and scholarships will begin on October 1, 2013. To learn more, visit: http://www.cognizant.com/aboutus/makingthefuture

"With an increasing number of job opportunities in STEM fields, we expect the need for talent in these areas to continue to grow," said Mark Greenlaw, Vice President of Sustainability and Educational Affairs at Cognizant and Program Director of Making the Future. "Through our Making the Future program, we're exposing the next generation to the power of Making, generating interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by unleashing a passion to discover, create, and ultimately have fun with STEM-oriented activities."

Cognizant's grants fund equipment, materials, and instructor stipends for programs at child-serving non-profit organizations across the U.S. to enable hands-on, STEM-based learning. Some of the programs executed in 2013 are:

• VentureLab: Based in San Antonio, Texas, the program reaches middle and high school students who are at risk of never graduating. The programs empower the "inner maker" in students while using 21^st century technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and robotics.
• CPEP Gaming Challenge: Bringing together 6^th and 7^th grade students in Waterbury, Hartford, East Hartford, New Haven, and New Britain, the Connecticut Pre Engineering Program (CPEP) is a five-week summer learning program that provides youth with transformational learning experiences using "real-world" hands-on STEM projects and cutting-edge educational video game learning systems.
• The Youth ALIVE! Program at Children's Museum of Pittsburgh (CMP): This program reaches children age 11-13, providing innovative museum experiences that inspire joy, creativity, and curiosity. The program strives to engage and sustain youth interest, positive social relationships, and personal success through workshop-based informal learning opportunities with digital and physical media.

To view the complete list of 2013 recipients, visit: http://cogniz.at/MakingFuture.

"At VentureLab, our mission is to empower young people to be next-generation innovators and entrepreneurs through inspiration, experiential learning, and mentorship," said Mark Barnett, Director of STEM Programs, VentureLab. "As a result of the support from Cognizant, within a short time, students are building and designing using software programs, tinkering with robotics, and much more, ultimately opening their minds to new subjects and potential career paths."

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 164,300 employees as of June 30, 2013, 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