WURTLAND Students at Wurtland Middle School will get a head start toward engineering careers beginning this fall, when the school launches its new Amazon Future Engineer program.
They will be learning to write computer code, a skill already in high demand in high-tech industries and an important component in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics â STEM â disciplines that are essential in todayâs schools.
The program is conducted entirely online.
The curriculum is being supplied free by the dot-com giant, which is concentrating on underserved communities, said STEM teacher Miruka Williams.
The commitment promises to help children and the tech industry both. âAmazon sees a coming shortage of people with needed skills, so it is reaching out in particular to economically disadvantaged communities,â she said.