Elevate AU
We are also excited to announce Elevate,  a new initiative for 2023. Elevate aims to build an interactive STEM elearning platform which can be rolled out at scale to self learners online and through in person guided learning in community facilities. The objective is to build a coding “launch pad” teaching the fundamentals of core coding/programming technologies including Scratch, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python.

There have been various studies that have indicated one of the challenges thus far in implementing coding curriculum in Australia has been the lack of K12 teachers that have sufficient skills to teach coding & programming. This is a complicated challenge that doesn’t have a simple solution but we believe an “out of the box” approach is to tackle this challenge by training + hiring technically inclined individuals within the greater community to be paid instructors for the in person guided learning programs. This approach may have the following key benefits:

1. Creates instructor jobs in the local community for technically inclined individuals.
2. Reduces the reliance on school teachers, many whom lack technical knowledge, to teach coding.
3. Increases access to STEM since part time instructors can be sourced within the greater community resulting in more learning opportunities.

In staying with our mission to increase access to STEM, the in person guided learning will be delivered in the community through universities, libraries, community centers, and other public venues. 

Elevate is not meant to be a panacea to solve all STEM access challenges but a step towards increasing STEM access through a community approach.