3M Partners with Digital Wish To Help Bring Tablets into the Classroom
Parents Can Support 3M Screens for Schools
and Apply for Chance to Win up to $25,000 in Tablets for Local School

July 31, 2012 - Manchester, VT - Studies have shown that the use of tablets in classrooms may help students score better on math and literacy tests, with one group of students testing 20 percent higher after using an Algebra app than their peers who used a textbook.[1] To help make tablets more accessible for schools on a tight budget, 3M, the maker of 3M Screen Protectors, is partnering with Digital Wish, a non-profit organization that works to outfit classrooms with the latest technology.

Through the 3M Screens for Schools grants program, 3M Screen Protectors – with the help of parents, teachers and school administrators – will donate up to $25,000[2] to Digital Wish.  The funds will then be awarded to one school so that it may equip its classrooms with new tablets and accompanying 3M Screen Protectors.

To reach its goal of donating up to $25,000 to Digital Wish, 3M Screen Protectors is encouraging parents to show their support for 3M Screens for Schools at Facebook.com/3MScreens. For every eligible person who shows his/her support, 3M will donate $1 to Digital Wish and an additional $1 for every person who shares the 3M Screens for Schools message on Facebook[3].

Parents, teachers and school administrators can also apply for the chance to win up to $25,000 in new tablets for their local school at Facebook.com/3MScreens by submitting an essay between 200 and 500 words explaining:

• Why does the school need the award for new tablets and how would the new tablets change the school for the better?
• If awarded the new tablets, how would learning be enhanced for students and teaching be enhanced for educators?
• What other creative fundraising, if any, has the school undertaken in an effort to bring new technology into the classroom?

Entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM EDT on September 12, 2012. Only one entry is permitted per person but multiple entries can be made on behalf of one school. Teachers and school officials are also allowed to enter on behalf of their school. The winning entry will be determined by an independent panel of judges as appointed by Digital Wish. To learn more about who is eligible to participate and to win the grand prize, please review the complete set of contest rules, here.

“We know how difficult it can be for schools to be able to afford new technology, which makes it even more important for that technology to last as long as possible,” says Nicola Stevens, business manager, Mobile Interactive Solutions Division.   “We are excited to be partnering with Digital Wish on this program to help teachers and students receive new tablets to enhance the educational experience, and to be protecting them with 3M Screen Protectors.”

According to Heather Chirtea, Executive Director of Digital Wish, “tablets are the hottest technology in schools right now and we’re really grateful to 3M Screen Protectors for the opportunity to grant a school with new devices to help enhance the learning experience for its students.”

For additional information on 3M Screen Protectors and the variety of privacy and protection products offered – including new Natural View Anti-Glare and Fingerprint Fading Screen Protectors – visit www.3MScreens.com and follow @3MScreens on Twitter.