STEAM

Initiative Will Train 20,000 Teachers to Introduce Computational Thinking in CS Education

• By Sri Ravipati
• 03/28/17

In an effort to close the gap between available jobs and qualified workers in the computer science field, Discovery Education and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have launched a multi-million dollar initiative to reshape American education by making computational thinking a foundational skill for all students. Ignite My Future in School aims to train more than 20,000 teachers to implement computer science into other subjects and engage one million students over the next five years.

The program enables administrators, teachers and students to become “ambassadors of a trans-disciplinary approach and introduce computer science within the context of core subjects, such as English, mathematics, social studies and the arts,” according to a news release. They will be given professional development content that aligns with their curricular requirements at no charge. “These instructional courses, content and lesson plans will give faculty the opportunity to try new teaching strategies in their classrooms that are designed to increase students engagement and achievement.”

Ignite My Future in School will roll out to school districts in the following cities:

• New York, NY;
• Chicago, IL;
• Minneapolis, MN;
• Santa Clara, CA;
• Atlanta, GA;
• Detroit, MI;
• Dallas, TX;
• Charlotte, NC;
• Cincinnati, OH; and
• Seattle, WA.

More than 3,000 TCS employees will serve as mentors and “local learning leaders” who will promote teacher learning communities and facilitate collaboration between groups. TCS and Discovery are also making the content available via a digital platform for others in the United States.

To learn more, visit the Ignite My Future in School site.