- Amazon has launched its Think Big Space in Cape Town in partnership with Tangible.
- It aims to train 100 teachers to reach 10 000 learners across six local provinces.
- It is the first expansion of the initiative on the African continent.
Amazon has announced the launch of its first Think Big Space on the African continent, situated at its Cape Town headquarters. It marks the expansion of its global network of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)initiatives.
The launch is being handled in partnership with Tangible Africa, a non-profit organisation, with the pair working on a goal to train 100 educators to reach 10 000 learners (Grade 8-12) across six South African provinces, with a focus on foundational coding and digital skills development.
Those provinces are the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, the Northern Cape, and the Western Cape.
Citing a UNESCO report, Amazon noted that sub-Saharan Africa needs an additional 6.3 million teachers to achieve universal primary education by 2030, with STEM education facing particular challenges in underserved communities.
“The South Africa Amazon Think Big Space addresses these challenges through an innovative and unique low-tech approach which was built to align with South Africa’s Department of Basic Education’s Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement robotics and coding curriculum, launched this year,” explained Amazon.
“The Think Big Space offers educators comprehensive training programs, teaching resources, and ongoing support through Tangible’s WhatsApp portal, enabling teachers to become force multipliers in their communities. This approach specifically targets South Africa’s unique resource needs and empowers the existing networks through partnerships with established NPOs,” it added.
Further unpacking the initiative, both organisations said that educators will receive four hours of intensive training in block coding fundamentals, followed by 20 hours of online self-directed training.
The newly skilled educators will continue to receive ongoing support from Tangible Africa throughout the academic year. The first Amazon Think Big Space in Africa will host field trips, boot camps, and flexible before- and after-school programs too.
“This Think Big Space underscores Amazon’s deep commitment to improving sustainable educational impact in South Africa/ By focusing on educator development, we are creating lasting change that reaches far beyond the Think Big Space’s walls,” enthused Zelda van der Linde, HR director at Amazon Web Services for EMEA and South Africa.
Those educators interested in participating can apply through Tangible Africa here or by emailing info[at]levafoundation[dot]org.
Amazon also confirmed that the program is fully funded by the big tech company, with no cost to participating educators or schools.
[Image – Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash]
