Citizens Bank and the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce joined the North Albany Academy to announce the expansion of the Love SAM program. SAM stands for science and math. The program started in 2006, and thanks to a $125,000 grant from the New York State Senate, the program has now expanded to five counties within Tech Valley.

"The pilot program we started here at North Albany Academy, those kids are now third graders, and the hope is next year when they're fourth graders to show significant progress in the areas of science and math," said John Spadafora, Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce Director of Communications.

This is especially important when studies show that students here in the United States are falling behind other countries when it comes to science and math.

"If our country is going to grow and maintain its position as a leader, a world leader in a global economy, one that grows more reliant on technology each and very day, we know we have a responsibility here in our schools," said Albany Superintendent of Schools Dr. Eva Joseph.

This announcement of expanding the SAM program comes at an interesting time, with the development of the AMD factory in Malta, understanding math, science, and technology is just as important as ever to keep up with the changing times.

"We're hoping that our dollars will help these youth become better prepared and take advantage of the opportunities like AMD and other emerging high tech companies will bring to the greater Capital Region," said Citizens Bank Executive Vice President James Gaspo.

"Our partnerships have really been with a full awareness about the developments here in Tech Valley, I think the validation or the affirmation of AMD coming forward verifies it even more," said Dr. Joseph.

More support for the SAM project came through a $5,000 donation from Citizen's Bank. This will help sustain the program for these first graders because the feeling here is as technology continues to grow, so should the student's education.

"We need to raise the level of skills that our future leaders are going to require to support and fulfill those roles with emerging high tech companies," said Gaspo.

Getting technology down to a science.