Comcast NBCUniversal and the Council for Opportunity in Education Launch $1.5 Million ‘Jurassic World Rule Your Future STEAM Initiative’

Comcast NBCUniversal today announced the launch of the “Jurassic World Rule Your Future STEAM Initiative,” a new program aimed at strengthening STEAM preparation and digital skills among low-income and first generation-to-college students.

Backed by a $1.5 million investment in cash and in-kind from Comcast, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks & Resorts, this cross-company initiative leverages the collective power of Comcast NBCUniversal’s family of brands to help ensure more young people have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in today’s digital world. The initiative is a part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.

Working with the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE), a not-for-profit organization based in Washington, DC that promotes equity in college access and success through the Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO), three 10-hour STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) courses were designed by educational professionals with input from key experts from the new Jurassic World Dominion film, which arrives in theaters June 10. The content draws on key themes from the Jurassic World franchise, including paleontology, animatronics, and DNA, and offers students an exciting, hands-on experience to develop the skills necessary to pursue non-traditional STEAM careers. Each of the three units opens with a video introduction from Jurassic World Dominion talent, including: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, and DeWanda Wise. The three courses currently being offered at 35 TRIO programs across the country include:

• Paleontology: STEAM in Conversation with Jurassic World
• Robotics and Animatronics: STEAM in Conversation with Jurassic World
• Genetics and DNA: STEAM in Conversation with Jurassic World

“We’re giving these amazing TRIO students the opportunity to explore subject matter they may not have been exposed to before. It’s a powerful example for how Comcast NBCUniversal is advancing digital equity through Project UP, which is designed to help more people have equal access to the opportunities, education, and resources they need to succeed in a digital world,” said Broderick Johnson, Executive Vice President, Digital Equity and Executive Vice President, Public Policy, at Comcast Corporation.

“Universal Pictures is proud to partner with Comcast to create the Jurassic World Rule Your Future STEAM Initiative,” said David O’Connor, President, Franchise Management, Brand Strategy & Partnerships, at Universal Pictures. “Jurassic World is a global, franchise that has inspired multiple generations to enter scientific fields, and we’re thrilled to be part of this program, which enables more high school students to explore careers in science, technology, and media. Comcast has long been committed to this type of work and we are thrilled to be inspiring the next generation of STEAM professionals.”

“We are delighted to be a part of this incredible STEAM initiative,” said COE President Maureen Hoyler. “Inspiring first generation-college-bound students and exposing them to careers they may have never thought possible is at the core of our mission at COE. We can’t wait to see what discoveries or innovations might happen as a result of our students participating in these creative learning experiences.”