STEAM

There is an incorrect assumption that digital natives are digitally literate. Although they have grown up with technology, they do not necessarily have the skills to support our digitally-fueled economies. Beyond using apps, they struggle to create financial formulas in Excel or navigate a computer’s file management system — essential skills in today’s workplaces.

For Discovery Education, partnerships that drive social impact in classrooms are a key component of our mission to improve learning for K-12 students. Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, and transforms teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development and the largest professional learning community of its kind.

As Deputy Director of the Cisco Foundation, I am fortunate to be at the center of investing our technology, expertise, and cash grants to empower global problem solvers that make a positive impact on our world. Last year alone, our investments in innovative digital solutions positively impacted 154 million people in some of the most economically underserved parts of the world. We are committed to positively impacting 1 billion people by 2025 and have reached 232 million people to date.

Recently, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) teamed up with The Boy Scouts of America’s Three Harbors Council to lead a five-day goIT seminar in Milwaukee, WI. Three dozen 7th and 8th grade students from St. Anthony and St. Vincent Pallotti attended the event. goIT, TCS’ signature

Today, there are students in America who lack access to computers, the Internet and the basic tech-ed tools to help them develop the skills they will need to thrive in a digitally focused society.

A group of 24 students, the Tiger Tech team keeps the school’s technology running smoothly. To see them at work, it’s hard to imagine the team is only four years old, but until 2014, Armstrong had little technology and no access to Wi-Fi. The school was transformed thanks to a Verizon Innovative Learning initiative that provides free tablets, two-year data plans and teacher training to select underserved schools across the country.

A group of 24 students at Armstrong Middle School, the Tiger Tech team keeps the school’s technology running smoothly.