Reading. Writing. AI.
We’re supporting a new effort to bring AI training to high school classrooms across the United States.
The Exploring Computer Science AI curriculum — and our support for the AI Family Challenge — highlight our efforts to connect K-12 students to AI.
Both efforts are women-led, underscoring the growing leadership role of women in technology education.
These programs give participants a big head start.
By 2030, AI could add as much as $15.7 trillion to the world’s economy. That makes AI “the biggest commercial opportunity in today’s fast changing economy,” according to PwC.
“Together, we’re making AI education accessible to families everywhere,” said Tonie Hansen, senior director for Corporate Social Responsibility at NVIDIA.
Turning High School Into AI School
The launch of the AI Curriculum for High School Students is the latest milestone in the NVIDIA Foundation’s effort to support AI education.
The AI curriculum is part of Exploring Computer Science, a year-long high school intro-level computer science program.
Focused on broadening participation in computing, the ECS AI curriculum has its roots in our support for the UK’s AIinSchools program, developed by author and education consultant Beverly Clarke.
The NVIDIA Foundation also funded Clarke’s work with ECS founder Joanna Goode, an associate professor of Education Studies at the University of Oregon, to convert the AIinSchools curriculum to U.S standards.
Fun for the Whole Family
Besides ECS, we’re also supporting the AI Family Challenge.
The free, hands-on AI education program is a project of Iridescent, a global technology education non-profit, led by Tara Chklovski.
The challenge brings families, schools, communities and technology pros together.
This gives everyone the chance to learn, play and create with AI.
Earlier this year, the NVIDIA Foundation awarded technology education nonprofit Iridescent funding to expand its AI education programming.
That includes an effort to grow Iridescent’s mentoring program, where employees from companies like NVIDIA work with participating families.
The effort builds on a long relationship with Iridescent. The NVIDIA Foundation partnered with Iridescent in 2017 to launch the Foundation’s Techsplorer program.
“The NVIDIA and Iridescent partnership is a model for how nonprofits and corporations can work together to inspire lifelong learning and address the AI skills gap,” Hansen said.