Amazon has launched its first Think Big Space on the African continent at its Cape Town headquarters, expanding its global network of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Through a partnership with non-profit organisation Tangible Africa, the initiative’s goal is to train 100 educators to reach 10 000 learners (Grade 8-12) across six South African provinces (Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and Western Cape), focusing on foundational coding and digital skills development.
In South Africa, learners from rural and township schools continue to face significant barriers to quality STEM education. UNESCO reports that sub-Saharan Africa needs an additional 6,3-million teachers to achieve universal primary education by 2030, with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 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.
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 resource needs and empowers the existing networks through partnerships with established NPOs.
“This Think Big Space underscores Amazon’s deep commitment to improving sustainable educational impact in South Africa,” says Zelda van der Linde, HR director at Amazon Web Services (EMEA and South Africa). “By focusing on educator development, we are creating lasting change that reaches far beyond the Think Big Space’s walls.”
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. As Amazon strives to be Earths Best Employer, the space also serves as a hub for Amazon’s employee resource groups and community outreach initiatives.
“I am super excited to be a part of your Teacher Support Program”, says Alley McPherson, founder of Early Childhood Development’s United for Greatness. “The lessons are so simple to understand and follow. In addition, the chatbot application is amazing! It navigated me through everything I wanted to know with ease.”
Educators interested in participating can apply through Tangible Africa at https://tangible.levafoundation.org/ or email info@levafoundation.org. The program is fully funded, with no cost to participating educators or schools.