"UC San Diego takes great pride in being a world class research university where discovery and new knowledge motivate us each day to come to work. The Thinkabit Lab has a similar focus but with a twist. When young adults enter the Thinkabit Lab a transformative process begins as the strengths, [interests] and values discovery process surfaces the genius in each student. The Lab does not ask the students what they want to be when they grow up, but instead, what problem do they wish to solve and what tools will they need to reach their objectives.”
- Dr. Ed Abeyta, Assistant Dean for Community Engagement and Director, Pre-Collegiate and Career Preparations Programs at UC San Diego (UCSD) Extension.
“This is a quick note to express my gratitude for the wonderful partnership that is developing with Qualcomm and the Thinkabit Lab, which benefits the students of Vista Unified School District. The professional development that has been provided to our teachers has been phenomenal, and the impact of the experience for our students from Vista Magnet Middle and the Vista Innovation and Design Academy (VIDA) has been both humbling and inspirational. Several students have shared with me that their ambitions for the future have been transformed by the visit. I know that the commitment to this program from Qualcomm has been significant, and I wanted to be sure that you were aware of the positive impact that we are seeing already from these efforts.”
- Devin Vodicka, Superintendent, Vista Unified School District.
“The staff member from [our school] asked all students what they want to do after high school in order to better create their schedules for next year. Four of the five students responded by saying that they want to be an engineer. When I asked what inspired them to choose this path, all four students said it was because of their experience at the Thinkabit Lab and that they knew very little about engineering before this experience. Hearing from my students about their experience at the lab and having the chance to hear students talk about choosing engineering as a future career has been inspiring. The work that you are doing at the Thinkabit Lab is life-changing for so many of our young men and women.”
- Michael Ecker, Principal, Calavera Hills in Carlsbad
“For the past two years San Diego Unified and Qualcomm have partnered to cultivate innovation in both teaching and learning through the Thinkabit Lab. The Thinkabit Lab has made engineering real and empowered our children, allowing them to wonder, to dream and to see their creativity come to life. We thank Qualcomm for their generous gift of a Thinkabit Lab to Lewis Middle School and their commitment to all of San Diego’s youth, and we are grateful to have found a friend in the industry whose ideals align so closely with our own.”
- Cindy Marten, Superintendent, San Diego Unified School District
“Your Thinkabit Lab inspires and reminds me to continue to encourage students to think outside the box. I appreciate the "seed" that you planted with the kids last week, and I want to make sure that we continue with "Strengths, Interests and Values" throughout this year. I am so grateful that you have opened your doors for students to come and experience what you all have to offer. This is truly giving to the kids. Just a note: one of my students commented on the field trip and told me that it was "almost better than 6th grade camp". That is a HUGE compliment, I assure you.”
- Helen Rosati, Teacher, Chet F Harritt Elementary School in Santee
“Our partnership with Qualcomm has been the strongest, most successful business partnership I've worked with. It is an honor to work with you and your team, and it is exciting to be spreading engineering across the county.”
- Sarah Motsinger, Principal, Feaster STEAM Charter in Chula Vista
“Inspiring and motivating local youth to excel in STEM subjects is vital to building the nation’s brightest workforce right here in San Diego. The Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab serves as a model for the rest of the country by exposing more kids to STEM career paths, encouraging them to study STEM and preparing them for new opportunities in the 21st century.”- - Kevin L. Faulconer, Mayor of San Diego
The Chula Vista Elementary School District has benefited from the transformational effects of the Thinkabit Lab. Students’ engagement, creativity, and critical thinking were enhanced by the lab’s challenging and vibrant environment. Qualcomm staff inspired our students and opened their minds to endless possibilities for their future careers. Our students’ experience also inspired our teachers and administrators to enhance the environment for learning for all students.
- Francisco Escobedo, Superintendent, Chula Vista Elementary School District