BCPS Partners with Amazon to Expand Computer Science in Elementary Schools

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is excited to be awarded a three-year partnership with Amazon Future
Engineer to increase access to high-quality computer science education in elementary schools.

As part of the initiative, Amazon, through Bootup Professional Development, is providing computer science
curriculum and teacher professional development at 45 BCPS elementary schools, impacting more than 4,800
students. BCPS Applied Learning Department staff will continue to use the knowledge and skills gained through the partnership to expand training and resources at elementary schools Districtwide.

BCPS is a national leader in providing computer science courses, curriculum and activities at 100% of District
schools. Through the District’s #BrowardCODES initiative, more than 50,000 students are positively impacted
by computer science offerings.

“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Amazon on this important initiative, which reinforces and
supports our focus on providing computer science programs for all students,” said BCPS Interim
Superintendent Dr. Earlean Smiley. “As part of the Amazon Future Engineer program, our elementary school
teachers and staff can access cutting-edge curriculum and training, at no cost to the District, to help them better
engage with students as they learn about computer science and, hopefully, spark their curiosity and interest in
continuing their studies in middle school, high school and beyond.”

“Amazon Future Engineer is thrilled to hear how teachers continue to go above and beyond to reach young
students and pique their interest in computer science,” said Victor Reinoso, Global Director of Amazon’s
philanthropic education initiatives. “We are committed to offering high-quality curriculum, professional development, and benefits to support educators as they help their students build life-changing skills that leverage computer science and coding to bring their dreams to life, no matter what career they choose to pursue.”

Amazon’s Future Engineer program aims to bring computer science to 500,000 elementary students across the
country by 2025. In addition, Amazon has donated more than $20 million to organizations that promote computer science/STEM education.

To learn more about BCPS computer science programs and #BrowardCODES, visit
browardschools.com/browardcodes.

 

About Broward County Public Schools

“Educating all students to reach their highest potential.”

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962, serving more than 256,000 students and approximately 110,000 adult learners in 240 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 90 charter schools. BCPS supports a diverse student population representing 170 different countries and speaking 147 languages.

To connect with BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow them on Twitter @browardschools, on Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools, and download the free BCPS mobile app.

 

About Amazon Future Engineer

Amazon Future Engineer is a childhood-to-career computer science education program intended to inspire and educate millions of students from historically underrepresented communities globally, including hundreds of thousands of students in the U.S. each year. Students explore computer science through school curriculum and project-based learning, using code to make music, program robots, and solve problems. Additionally, each year
Amazon Future Engineer awards 250 students with four-year, $40,000 scholarships and paid internships at Amazon, as well as names 10 Teacher of the Year winners, awarding $30,000 prize packages for going above and beyond to inspire students in computer science and to promote diversity and inclusion in the field. The program is currently available in the U.S., UK, France, Canada, India, and Germany. For more information, visit
amazonfutureengineer.com.

 

About Bootup Professional Development

BootUp PD is a national nonprofit specializing in district-wide elementary computer science initiatives focusing on creativity and problem-solving. Since 2015, BootUp has worked with over 700 elementary schools in twenty-one states, impacting over 260,000 students. BootUp prepares teachers to facilitate open-ended coding projects that are project-based and personally meaningful. Students are empowered with creative and interactive curricula that allow them to explore their personal interests through coding with design, music, animation, games, or stories.

 

Photo Credit: Broward County Public Schools

Date Posted: March 8, 2023