NEWS – Amazon Launches First Free Facility for Underserved Students

HIGHLIGHTS

Overview of the Initiative

• Launch Location: Bengaluru, India
• Program Name: Amazon Future Engineer Makerspace
• Objective: To empower over 4,000 students with technological skills by 2025
• Target Group: Underserved students in grades 5 to 12
• Partners: Amazon in partnership with The Innovation Story
• Focus Areas: Robotics, AI, 3D printing, and other advanced technology skills

Course Formats and Levels

• Short Beginner Programs: 3-4 hour sessions introducing basic robotics and coding
• Intermediate Programs: 6-hour sessions over two days, covering advanced robotics, programming, prototyping, and design
• Advanced Programs: Multi-month programs for in-depth skills training, helping students become experts

Facilities and Resources

• Equipment Available: 3D printers, power tools, lathes, and other tools for hands-on building of robots, drones, and other projects
• Expert Support: Mentorship by Amazon volunteers and guidance from expert trainers
• Capacity: Space for up to 40 participants in pre-booked online sessions

Goals and Mission

• Inspiring Future Tech Leaders
  • Empowering Young Minds: The program aims to instill a lifelong passion for STEM
  • Focus on Digital Equity: Aimed at reducing the tech-literacy gap in India by providing equal learning opportunities to underprivileged students
• Vision for Computer Science Education
  • Beyond Digital Literacy: Emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking, and design thinking, rather than just coding
  • Long-Term Impact: Reached 2.9 million students since its launch in 2021, with further expansion planned

Addressing the Digital Divide

• Educational Gaps in India
  • Unequal Access: The World Economic Forum reported a lack of uniform access to technology literacy across urban and rural populations in India
  • Challenges in Advanced Skills: Public educational institutions often lack infrastructure for teaching AI, ML, robotics, and other advanced skills
• Amazon’s Role in Bridging the Gap
  • Amazon Future Engineer Program: Launched in 2021 to support underserved communities and promote access to computer science education
  • Launch of Makerspace: A milestone facility in Bengaluru, offering free, hands-on learning to students who lack access to quality STEM education

Multi-Pronged Approach to Expanding Reach

• Direct School Partnerships
  • Working with Non-Profits and Governments: Partnerships with state governments to integrate computer science into curriculums, including training for non-computer science teachers
  • State Government Collaborations: Partnerships across eight states, including Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra
• Accessible Learning Assets
  • Code Mitra App: Mobile app for block-based coding, broadening access beyond specific states
  • Eco-Hackathons and Ekalavya Schools: Collaborations with the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Tribal Affairs to support computer science initiatives in tribal schools
• Scholarships and Internships for Girls

• Scholarships for Girls in Tech: ₹2 lakh scholarships for low-income female students pursuing computer science degrees
• Internship Opportunities: Amazon internships offered after two years, providing real-world exposure to successful applicants

Case Studies and Regional Impact

• Partnership with Maharashtra Government
  • Computer Science Teaching Excellence Program: Annual blended courses for government school teachers in 13 districts, reaching over 4,000 teachers
  • Interdisciplinary Teaching: Computer science integrated with subjects like biology to aid understanding through projects (e.g., photosynthesis)
• Partnership with Karnataka Government
  • Support for KREIS: Training and lab set-ups for schools catering to marginalized communities in Karnataka
  • District-Wide Initiatives: Large-scale teacher training to expand tech education across Karnataka’s schools