Actress and Scientist Mayim Bialik Teams Up with Texas Instruments to Inspire Science and Math Educators and Students
Bialik, a scientist on-screen and in real life, is named spokeswoman for TI-Nspire Math and Science Classroom Technology

DALLAS, March 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments (TI) announces actress, scientist and author Mayim Bialik as brand ambassador and spokeswoman for TI-Nspire™ CX math and science learning technology. TI and Bialik hope to inspire teens, our future generation of scientists and mathematicians, to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in their studies and future careers.

The partnership is a perfect match between TI, a longtime advocate and funder of STEM initiatives that drive innovative education programs for students and teachers, and Bialik, who holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and is passionate about math and science education. Bialik also uses her degree to foster a passion for the sciences by teaching biology and chemistry in her spare time, and through her acting role as a biologist on TV's No. 1 math-and-science-based comedy.

"I relied on my Texas Instruments graphing calculators while earning my neuroscience degrees, so it is exciting for me to join TI in inspiring and supporting students and educators through the use of TI-Nspire math and science classroom technology," Bialik said. "I'm a firm believer in fostering interactive learning environments for students. I also understand the importance of advancing science, technology, engineering and math and hope to inspire future generations of scientists."

The partnership kicks off today with Bialik attending TI's 24th Annual T3™ International Conference in Chicago, Ill., where nearly 2,000 educators from around the world will gather to learn innovative and effective ways to teach with technology and improve student success in math and science. 

Tonight, Bialik will join TI for a special event where TI will donate more than $40,000 of TI-Nspire CX math and science classroom learning technology and teacher professional development to two local Chicago Public Schools. Each school will each receive a TI-Nspire™ CX Navigator™ System, TI-Nspire™ CX math and science handhelds, and professional development and coaching to ensure ongoing success using the technology.

Bialik also will headline the conference's Welcome Reception, where she will speak to teachers about her passion for learning and teaching science and her own experience with TI classroom technology. On Saturday, Bialik will meet with educators and conference leaders during professional development sessions.

"We are excited to collaborate with Mayim because of her unique credentials as a real-life scientist and teacher, not to mention her role playing a biologist on one of today's most popular TV shows," said Melendy Lovett, president of TI's Education Technology business and senior vice president of Texas Instruments. "She's passionate about inspiring young learners to pursue science and math and is a great role model for students and a perfect ambassador for TI Nspired Learning."

TI has invested more than $150 million in the past five years to support STEM education and research, working to actively engage students in technology and STEM education initiatives. 

For more information about Texas Instruments:

About Texas Instruments
 Education Technology, a business of Texas Instruments, provides a wide range of tools connecting the classroom experience with real-world applications, helping students and teachers to explore mathematics and science interactively. TI's products and services are tested vigorously against recognized third-party research, which shows that the use of graphing calculators helps improve the mathematical skills of students and their attitudes toward mathematics. For more information, visit www.education.ti.com.

Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) helps customers solve problems and develop new electronics that make the world smarter, healthier, safer, greener and more fun. A global semiconductor company, TI innovates through manufacturing, design and sales operations in more than 30 countries. For more information, visit www.ti.com.

About Mayim Bialik
Actress and teen sensation Mayim Hoya Bialik was born to first-generation American teachers and documentary filmmakers. Her breakout role, as a young Bette Midler in Beaches, lead to a starring role in the popular sitcom "Blossom" from 1990 to 1994. Bialik has guest-starred in some of the most beloved TV shows of the '80s and '90s, has been a celebrity guest on multiple late-night shows and appears regularly on "The Big Bang Theory" as Sheldon's "girl who is his friend, but not his girlfriend." Bialik earned her B.S. in neuroscience and Hebrew and Jewish studies from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2000, and went on to receive her Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA in 2007, specializing in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in adolescents with Prader-Willi syndrome. Bialik releases her first book, Beyond the Sling, in March.

SOURCE Texas Instruments

For further information: Mari Hancock of GolinHarris, +1-713-513-9574, mhancock@golinharris.com, for Texas Instruments