Income status should not be the determining factor to a quality education. This project will provide STEAM programming in the greater Outagamie County, for many children who otherwise would not have the opportunity because their families simply could not afford it. By providing free education to all that apply we create an equal playing field for each child. This allow for limitless possibilities.
The challenge with education is keeping ourselves ahead of the curve, and unfortunately our efforts are falling short. Schools are struggling to make the necessary changes fast enough to accommodate the changing landscapes, especially in technology. By 2021 we will have 4000 unfilled IT roles just in Wisconsin alone. The number of students who are able to have access to quality advanced learning programs has decreased due to family finances, creating a large educational gap.
We will be solving this problem by involving IT specialists, retired teachers, professionals and dedicated community members to ensure each child that applies will get FREE programming for as long as they need it to ensure success for whatever they see as their future endeavors. Allowing students access to advanced learning in the early stages of their education ensures that their experiences will forge a future that is well informed.
The long term effects will be in changing and enhancing a child's future. By providing them opportunity to experience all aspects of education to the fullest they will gain perspective and appreciation for themselves, their community, their peers and the world as a whole. A learner is the sum of their experiences and by providing as many experiences as possible they can make informed decisions about the future.