Hands-on Technology Experience for Low-Income Kids

In the 2013-14 school year, Citizen Schools served 5,000 students, expanding the learning day in partnership with middle schools in high-need communities in order to close the opportunity gap. Google remained one of Citizen Schools’ leading investors – not only through financial support but especially through the human capital of Googlers who taught 10-week, hands-on apprenticeships to our students.

This year, 137 Google Citizen Teachers led 57 apprenticeships in Citizen Schools programs. Apprenticeships taught by Googlers included:

• Build Your Own Android App -- Students became computer programmers by learning about applications that run on mobile smart phones. Mobile applications are triggering a huge shift in the way people experience computing. This apprenticeship was guided by the goal that our students should be able exercise their creativity and create mobile applications rather than just consume them.
• The New Global Citizens – Students were introduced to global issues and the impact that students can make on these issues through fundraising, advocacy, and community education. Students were introduced to the NGC Global Issues: sustainability, equality/equity, and public health. Students worked cooperatively and participated in a public WOW! presentation in which they chose one of the NGC Global Issues and presented the learning gained from their apprenticeship in the manner of a real-world problem solver.

Citizen Schools and Google had several opportunities to celebrate together this spring:

• A WOW! Affair: Citizen Schools’ partnership with Google was the centerpiece of our annual gala. More than 400 people attended A WOW! Affair at Boston’s Museum of Science, including Googlers from Cambridge, Mountain View and New York. Guests got to experience student WOW! presentations, highlighting Google apprenticeships. Additionally, Stephen Vinter, the Engineering Director of Google Cambridge, delivered the keynote remarks. 
• WOW! Events: The end of each semester brings WOW! season, a series of events at which students teach back what they’ve learned in their apprenticeships to their families, teachers, and communities. Special WOW! events that highlight our partnership with Google will take place at Google regional headquarters in New York; Cambridge, MA; and Mountain View, CA.
• Press and PR: Citizen Schools’ partnership with Google was highlighted in several online and print publications. Examples and links are included with this report.

Citizen Schools is excited to continue our powerful partnership with Google and its employees. The expertise and enthusiasm of Google Citizen Teachers continues to inspire children in our programs to explore new worlds and prepare meaningfully for their futures.  

Links:

• "Getting a Boost from Google" (New York Daily News)
• "Citizen Schools and Google: A High-Impact Partnership"
• "Students Inspire Guests at Annual A WOW! Affair"