NI CITIZENSHIP REPORT

Mentoring Young Minds

The world's most challenging issues, from providing access to clean water to advancing health informatics, will be addressed by tomorrow's engineers. Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is critical to ensure a robust network of technologically proficient talent in the future. National Instruments believes engaging young people with technology in a fun, hands-on way will inspire today's students to become tomorrow's innovators. To engage young minds, NI educational initiatives include a variety of K–12 programs that foster students' enthusiasm in technology and science and support STEM education in schools.

For detailed information on the NI mission to improve technical literacy, visit the Improving the World Through Technical Literacy section of this report.

2010 Highlights

Recognized by Austin and Del Valle Independent School Districts for outstanding community efforts in Central Texas

Deployed first LEGO^® Education WeDo™ training in Cambodia

Collaborated with the Texas School for the Deaf to start a robotics program

Started LEGO MINDSTORMS^® NXT mentor programs in areas served by NI Hungary and NI Malaysia

2010 Challenges

Employee robotics mentorship program did not meet growth or retention goals

Mentoring activities completed by branch employees continue to be difficult to track

2011 Commitments

Create additional training and resources for robotics mentors

Retain at least 60% of robotics mentors at corporate headquarters

Increase number of robotics mentors in underserved schools by 10%

Expand robotics mentorship programs to five branch offices