Amazon today announced that it will fund computer science courses in over 25 schools across Tennessee, five of which are in the Chattanooga area, as part of its Amazon Future Engineer program. These schools are part of the more than 1,000 high schools across all 50 states reaching tens of thousands of students supported by Amazon Future Engineer.
Of the more than 1,000 participating schools, more than 700 are Title I schools, as the program aims to reach students from underprivileged communities.
Amazon Future Engineer is a piece of Amazon’s $50 million investment in computer science and STEM education. Amazon’s funding provides full-year courses designed to inspire, prepare and propel students of all backgrounds to pursue a computer science education and someday career.
Mayor Andy Berke said, “As technologies advance and the workforce is changing, we want to ensure students in Chattanooga and Hamilton County are not only prepared but feel confident pursuing careers in STEM and computer sciences. Amazon Future Engineer provides students of all ages and demographics the education, tools and skills needed to succeed in these important fields.”
Participating Chattanooga area schools include Hixon High School, Soddy Daisy High School and CHIPS Learning in Chattanooga.
“We want to ensure that every child, especially those from underprivileged communities, has an opportunity to study computer science,” said Jeff Wilke, CEO Worldwide Consumer, Amazon. “We are excited more than 1,000 schools will now provide these courses, and look forward to adding 1,000 more schools over the coming months.”