Students at Seattle’s John Muir Elementary School take part in Amazon’s Future Engineering Robotics Program designed to give kids a four-part childhood-to-career opportunity. (Image credit: Amazon)
Amazon has announced the funding of computer sciences and robotics programs for 30 Title-1 public schools in the Seattle area, as part of the company’s Future Engineer endeavor. Each school will receive a grant aimed at inspiring students by granting access to computer science education within their respective institutions, as well as providing a private tour of Amazon’s Fulfillment Center in Kent, Washington. The kids will also get support in launching First robotics teams, which includes professional development for teachers to learn about robotics.
Amazon explains, “The mission of FIRST, curriculum provider for Amazon Future Engineer Robotics grants, is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills to students in grades K-12.”
The Future Engineer initiative, Amazon provides kids with a childhood-to-career program designed to inspire, educate, and train them in the computer sciences. Children in grades K-8 are introduced to computer science and are provided tutorials and summer camps that will build their level of education in that area. High school students continue to build on that education and gain access to preparatory courses, curricular courses, and other programs to prepare them for a college-level AP Computer Science education.
The 30 Seattle schools will join 100 other schools across the US already implementing the Future Engineer program, with the goal of helping 10-million from underrepresented, underserved communities, which will help those kids pursue careers in the ever-growing field of computer science. Students that complete the Future Engineer program will receive a $10K four-year scholarship, as well as a guaranteed paid Amazon internship to get hands-on work experience.
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