SMARTer Kids Foundation and SMART Technologies proudly support Intel Teach to the Future program in North America

More than US$300,000 in classroom technology donated to enhance learning environments

San Antonio, TX --- June 17, 2002 --- The SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada and SMART Technologies announce their joint donation of more than US$300,000 in interactive classroom technology to support the Intel Teach to the Future program in North America. Intel Teach to the Future is a worldwide program to help teachers integrate technology into instruction and enhance student learning. To date, 500,000 teachers in 25 countries have completed training through this program.

Pre-service educators and in-service teachers participating in the Intel Teach to the Future program learn from other teachers how to effectively incorporate technology tools and resources into their lesson plans. Both students and teachers are clearly benefiting from this program. In a 2001 survey of U.S. teachers, conducted nine months after they completed the program, 84 percent reported that using computers improved their instruction and 80 percent found that computer-based lessons enhanced student learning.

"SMART chose to participate in the Intel Teach to the Future program because of its reputation and dedication to improving education worldwide," says David Martin, chairman and CEO of SMART Technologies. "The program's goals are in synch with SMART's commitment to enhancing the learning environment for both students and teachers."

"We're proud to support this teacher development program," says Nancy Knowlton, executive director of the SMARTer Kids Foundation. "With access to leading-edge technology tools and training opportunities, both new and experienced teachers can develop the skills necessary for integrating technology into curriculum."

"NEC Solutions America is pleased to donate projectors through the SMARTer Kids Foundation to help train teachers how to use technology to maximize their students' potential," said Stacey Force, channel marketing manager for NEC Solutions America, Visual Systems Division. "And we're happy to show our commitment to education through our long-standing participation in the SMARTer Kids Foundation."

Product Donations
SMART will donate SMART Board interactive whiteboards, and the SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada will donate NEC LT155 projectors to participating K–12 schools, colleges and universities.

About SMART
SMART Technologies is both the industry pioneer and market leader in versatile, easy-to-use Roomware products. Roomware tools include the family of award-winning SMART Board interactive whiteboards, as well as multimedia furniture, whiteboard cameras and software. Using Roomware products, groups can access and share the information they need to meet, teach, train and present. SMART customers include NASA, Texas Instruments, BMW, Fujitsu, DaimlerChrysler, Boeing, Lucent Technologies, NTT, Los Angeles Lakers, Novartis, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Accenture, Procter & Gamble, British Telecom, Disney Imagineering and Harvard University.

SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 380 people, SMART is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with offices in Germany, Japan, New York, NY, and Washington, DC. In 1992 SMART formed a strategic alliance with U.S. company Intel Corporation that resulted in joint product development and marketing efforts and Intel's equity ownership in SMART. SMART products are sold through dealers across North America and through distributors worldwide. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com.

About Intel Teach to the Future
Intel Teach to the Future, with support from Microsoft, is a worldwide effort to help teachers integrate technology into instruction and enhance student learning. As part of the Intel Innovation in Education initiative, a global, multi-million dollar effort to help realize the possibilities of science and technology in education, it is designed to prepare today's teachers and students for tomorrow's demands. Participating teachers receive extensive training and resources to promote effective technology use in the classroom. Program details are available at www.intel.com/education.

About NEC Solutions (America) Inc., Visual Systems Division
NEC Solutions America, Visual Systems Division markets, sells and supports unlimited large screen presentation solutions including DLP- and LCD-based field, facility and large venue projection systems as well as PlasmaSync plasma monitors designed specifically for the unique needs of the public display and multimedia presentation environments. NEC Solutions America, a leading provider of business solutions and services for the high-end commercial and professional markets in North America, is an affiliate of NEC Corporation. For more information about NEC Solutions America, Visual Systems Division, visit www.necvisualsystems.com.

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Please note that SMART is in all capital letters.