CLARKSVILLE, TN – The Austin Peay State University Foundation has received a $50,000 contribution from Google to support the Collaborative STEM Education Initiative for Middle TN K-12 Students. The initiative will bridge the technological and educational gap for rural communities by leveraging resources from Austin Peay’s Furniture Connection EdTech Studio and public K-12 schools to deliver STEM-related workshops across five counties in Middle Tennessee.
Led by Dr. Hanrui He, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Specialties, along with co-principal investigators Dr. Andrea Lee, Dr. Daniel Bailey, Dr. Joanna Zimmerle, and Dr. Tara Hill, the project will provide hands-on learning experiences in coding robotics, virtual reality, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence. The workshops are designed for students from upper elementary through 12th grade, with a particular focus on communities that face barriers to accessing internet resources and advanced educational technology.
“Google is committed to investing in communities where we operate, and supporting STEM education is a critical part of that commitment,” said Drake Mayo, community & workforce development manager at Google. “This continued partnership with Austin Peay State University will help ensure that students in rural Middle Tennessee have access to the technology tools and educational opportunities they need to succeed in our increasingly digital world. By bridging the digital divide, we’re not just investing in students today—we’re investing in the workforce and innovators of tomorrow.”…