EMC Corporation is donating its market-leading EMC CLARiiON networked storage systems and software to six Massachusetts schools.

The storage solutions, says the Hopkinton, MA-based company, will provide Commonwealth math and science students with an opportunity to work with advanced technology used by many of the world's largest companies and government agencies.

According to the official news release:

Schools in Franklin, Hopkinton, Milford, Upton, Westborough and Worcester will deploy more than five terabytes of the award-winning EMC CLARiiON information storage systems. Five terabytes is the equivalent of five million books, one million digital photos or 200,000-300,000 MP3 files. EMC CLARiiON has been recognized throughout the industry for providing customers with superior performance, functionality and scalability at an affordable price. It was most recently named "Most Valuable Product" by users and industry analysts at the 2003 Storage World Conference. Additionally, EMC is donating more than 200 laptop and desktop systems to schools in Hopkinton, Franklin, Milford, Northborough/Southborough, Westborough and Worcester. Students will use these laptops and desktops in the classroom.

Mike Ruettgers, EMC Chairman, said, "If our state's innovation industries are to keep growing, then we have to ensure a steady stream of students, who are curious about and comfortable with technology, decide to deepen their knowledge by majoring in technical subjects and ultimately replenish the pipeline that supplies tomorrow's scientists and engineers. Access to advanced systems and software like EMC CLARiiON provides our science teachers with tools to help get classes excited about their studies and gives students a valuable advantage as they prepare to enter the workforce."

EMC sponsors educational partnerships and programs that encourage students to explore scientific, engineering and information technology fields, Ruettgers added. Programs include co-op internships through EMC's Area School Outreach program, computer donations through the Catholic Schools Computers and Networks program, and Project SCOPE, a year-round science enrichment program for middle-school girls.