By Rob Harvey, Executive Chairman & Co-founder and Daniel Mehay, Chief Operations Officer & Co-founder, For The Win Robotics

Amidst the evolving landscape of the digital age, the bright spotlight on STEM and computer science education unveils stark contrasts in access and opportunity. These disparities are especially pronounced for students from historically marginalized communities, who often stand at the crossroads of innovation and exclusion, seeking pathways into fields that shape tomorrow.

”Early initiatives in Pennsylvania”

As of 2021, underrepresented communities, including Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native people, comprised 24% of the STEM workforce in the United States. Those in the workforce with a disability comprised only 3%, which has remained unchanged since 2011.

Addressing current STEM and computer science education challenges and fostering future opportunities hinge on creative thinking and inclusivity. This moment calls for rethinking how to adequately prepare the next generation for a tech-centric future, ensuring equal access for every student.

Early initiatives in Pennsylvania have positioned it as a leader in educational reform, serving as a blueprint for other states and sparking a unified effort to integrate STEM into education and innovation. Pennsylvania’s push focuses on bridging the gap in educational access and fostering inclusivity in STEM, with reusable drone technology playing a significant role.

Launching the PAsmart Initiative and Identifying Challenges

Recognizing a critical gap in STEM and computer science education in the state, the Pennsylvania Department of Education launched the PAsmart initiative during the 2018-2019 school year, providing grants to schools and local education agencies lacking comprehensive computer science curricula to catalyze change. This initiative aimed to empower educators with resources to deliver cutting-edge STEM education, emphasizing a commitment to equitable access in these vital fields. Yet, the journey to reshape the educational landscape faced significant challenges. Despite concerted efforts to introduce new lesson plans and programs aimed at demystifying computer science fundamentals, student engagement levels remained low.

By the 2019-2020 school year, it was evident that there were not enough Pennsylvania students engaged, with even lower rates among underrepresented students and English language learners. This stark disparity emphasized the necessity for a more inclusive and adaptable approach to STEM education, capable of addressing both pre-existing inequities and the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Adapting to the Pandemic and Forging New Pathways

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept through educational institutions, implementing STEM education initiatives encountered formidable challenges, magnifying the urgency for innovative solutions. Technical hurdles, ranging from equipment accessibility to internet connectivity, emerged as significant barriers to maintaining student engagement in remote settings. Particularly illustrative of the divide in access, differences based on household income starkly highlighted the digital divide.

Only 57% of households with income below $25,000 always had a computer available for educational purposes, in sharp contrast to 90% of households with an income of $200,000 or more. This disparity underscored the critical need for targeted strategies to ensure equitable access to STEM learning tools across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

Confronting the educational disparities in STEM, For the Win Robotics launched its pilot program in Pennsylvania, subsequently named CSinPA Build Fly Code (CSinPA), in January 2021, aiming to address the educational gap by introducing an innovative curriculum centered around building, flying, and coding drones. Starting with just nine teachers, the program swiftly captured the attention of educators, thanks in part to its innovative design that allows for construction, deconstruction, and reuse of drones.

CSinPA also provides teachers with access to the latest curriculum, guiding them through contemporary educational strategies. Building off the groundwork of the PAsmart initiative, this dynamic and immersive initiative demonstrated its effectiveness in bridging the educational divide. With the support and collaboration of the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) and the Innovation Institute for Tomorrow (II4T) CSinPA expanded into a statewide effort, not only impacting students but providing valuable professional development opportunities for educators.

Reflecting on Success and New Paths in STEM

The CSinPA program’s first iteration proved significant, involving over 2,600 students and 147 educators. Four years of concerted efforts by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, PaTTAN and the II4T have since expanded this achievement, evolving CSinPA into a comprehensive initiative that advances STEM and computer science learning across the state. Through dedication and a willingness to experiment, the team discovered unique opportunities in drone technology and special needs education, culminating in the CSinPA Build Fly Code Live initiative.

This event series utilizes For the Win Robotics’ learning platform engaging students in assembling drones, navigating coding challenges, and mastering flight activities. As of 2024, CSinPA Build Fly Code Live hosts five different locations within Pennsylvania annually including impactful applications like Oswayo Valley School District’s STEM mentorship program.

This Pennsylvania initiative’s success, underscored by its development, launch and government backing, exemplifies the power of continuous effort and creativity in redefining educational standards. A key part of this was acknowledging the diverse paths that students may take beyond the K-12 setting.

The seamless integration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) principles into programs like this plays a pivotal role in narrowing access and opportunity disparities for students. This equips students with foundational skills for their post-school endeavors and also supports aspiring educators in developing essential teaching skills. The CSinPA program transcends conventional drone applications with curriculum across various fields and capabilities, from search and rescue to precision delivery. This is vital for equipping all educators and students with the skills needed for a technology-driven future, ensuring comprehensive access to essential hands-on STEM learning experiences for every learner.

Professional Development for Educational Equity

Programs like CSinPA have underscored the importance of supporting educators through high-quality professional development and upskilling opportunities. The advancement of educators in STEM and computer science is crucial for bridging the educational equity gap. This urgency aligns with the trend of making computer science a graduation requirement, highlighting the necessity of equipping teachers to deliver engaging and adaptable education in this field. Notably, 29 states have implemented comprehensive requirement policies, resulting in 73% of their high schools offering foundational computer science compared to only 50% in less proactive states, emphasizing the clear need for well-prepared educators.

Effective professional development strategies, as exemplified by programs like CSinPA, leverage high-touch technologies and services to build educators’ confidence including those without a traditional computer science background. By focusing on empowering educators to customize education to meet diverse student needs, these strategies enhance the computer science curriculum and contribute to preparing a future workforce capable of meeting the demands of rapidly advancing STEM fields.

For states or districts aiming to replicate Pennsylvania’s success, leveraging Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) holds significant potential. Allocated in response to the pandemic, these federal funds are vital for K-12 schools to address diverse needs, and school districts must ensure the funds are utilized by the September 30 deadline. Investing in programs similar to CSinPA, which harness reusable technology, is a strategic way to extend the reach of remaining ESSER funds effectively.

This enhances resource efficiency and ensures ongoing support for educational projects. It also lays the groundwork for lasting educational technology investments, building resilience and adaptability. Through improved technological infrastructure and innovative practices, schools can amplify the lasting effects of their investments, driving continuous innovation in education.

The CSinPA program stands out for its meaningful impact on STEM education, making strides in bridging educational gaps across the state. Through its dynamic engagement with Pennsylvania students and educators alike, the program ignites a robust interest in STEM and computer science, paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future in education, and beyond. With educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders at the helm, CSinPA translates valuable insights into action, championing innovation, equity, and collaboration.

This initiative not only sets a benchmark for future educational endeavors but also highlights the critical importance of adopting inclusive and progressive educational models.

About Rob Harvey: Rob is a visionary brand builder with over two decades of experience shaping unique voices and guiding industry leaders towards innovative technologies. With a music industry background that shaped mainstream culture through 50 #1 hits and promoting stars like Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Drake, and Eminem, Rob held influential roles at major labels and Spotify, redefining the global music scene. His knack for identifying market gaps steered him towards the education sector. As the executive chairman and co-founder of FTW Robotics, he launched the Build Fly Code® program, revolutionizing STEM education technology in schools nationwide, inspiring students and educators worldwide.

About Daniel Mehay: Daniel is a STEM education entrepreneur dedicated to making innovative technologies engaging and accessible to students of all ages. With a background in green tech, he developed an education program on renewables implemented across the US and in over 50 countries. As a co-founder of FTW Robotics, Daniel drives strategic operations, collaborating with colleagues to implement the company’s vision of inspiring students and expanding opportunities through technology in education.