HughesNet Wins National Recognition for STEM Education Partnership with 4-H

“I want to share this with every family I know. What a considered and considerate application of corporate strengths to social responsibility. The result is a true partnership between Hughes Network Systems and 4-H, but the real winners are the kids and communities that are better for such great information.” That’s what one judge on the Stevie^® Award panel had to say about the HughesNet STEM-centric educational programming with National 4-H Council, which was honored with a 2021 Silver Stevie^® Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year category by American Business Awards®.

HughesNet, the nation’s leading satellite Internet service provider, and 4-H, America’s largest youth development organization, have been collaborating since 2014 to develop educational content and initiatives designed to inspire the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) leaders.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down in-person education, 4-H and HughesNet, through the launch of 4-H at Home, ensured K-12 students had access to a quality, at-home learning resource where they could continue to learn by doing. With a HughesNet-sponsored STEM activity hub, STEM Lab, serving as its foundation, 4-H at Home features more than 500 engaging, hands-on educational activities covering topics such as agriculture, civic engagement, healthy living and STEM. Over the past year, the free, open-access platform has reached an estimated 420,000 people with STEM content through interactive activities like Solar S’mores, DIY Flashlight and Wonderful Wetlands, which can be completed using household items.

“A passion for STEM starts at an early age by creating that spark and excitement for a young person that happens through hands-on activities,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “Through HughesNet’s support we were able to create the 4-H at Home platform and reach young people with innovative hybrid learning that involves online and hands-on components.”

“At HughesNet, we believe it’s absolutely essential for young people to have access to STEM education no matter where they live,” said Peter Gulla, senior vice president at Hughes. “This award speaks volumes to the progress we have made, together with 4-H, in expanding STEM access at a time when maintaining the quality of the next generation’s education, especially in subject areas like STEM, is among our highest priorities.”

Here are some more of the judges’ comments about the HughesNet and 4-H program:

• “What stood out was how HughesNet pivoted during the pandemic to provide much needed online access to quality STEM education for children and their families.”
• “A great CSR initiative to promote STEM education during the pandemic for children. Online educational activities are extremely important to maintain the learning curve of our youth.”
• “Jaw-droppingly useful, audience-centric, engaging content delivered in a simple, easy-to-navigate style with can-do copywriting!”

In addition to supporting STEM Lab, HughesNet is the annual sponsor of the 4-H Youth in Action STEM Pillar Award, which recognized advocate Aidan Spencer of Oklahoma this year. Click here to watch the 2021 4-H Youth in Action Awards virtual celebration hosted by 4-H alum and celebrity chef Carla Hall.

This is the second time HughesNet and 4-H have received a Stevie^® award for their collective efforts to further STEM education. As a proud 4-H sponsor, HughesNet is dedicated to advancing rural STEM education and ensuring those living in unserved or underserved communities have much-needed access to reliable and affordable high-speed Internet. To learn more about the HughesNet partnership with 4-H, click here.