ABOVE: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (center) announced Aug. 24 that the city is expanding its partnership with Microsoft through a program called Accelerate, which was designed to provide digital skills training to underserved communities and retraining to Americans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students at HISD’s Yates High School and Edison Middle School will receive innovative technological instruction through the Microsoft Imagine Academy, as part of the company’s partnership with the City of Houston to stimulate digital literacy in economically disadvantaged communities.
Yates High School and Edison Middle School students will receive virtual instruction in coding, IT infrastructure, data science, and attend virtual Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) camps. High school students will also receive training in Artificial Intelligence, modern workplace tools and office productivity in preparation for earning certifications.
“This is an incredible opportunity for students at Yates and Edison, who will gain the tools and knowledge they need to close high-tech skills gaps,” said HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan. “Participating in the Microsoft Imagine Academy has the potential to be a game-changer for our high school and middle school students.”
Microsoft Corporation’s educational component is part of its digital alliance with the City of Houston to innovate in big data, artificial intelligence, and the digital field to stimulate economic recovery.
“I am excited to see our partnership with Microsoft expand to include these two schools in our city’s Greater East End and Third Ward communities,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “Preparing young people to be dynamic members of Houston’s 21st century workforce is a crucial part of the high-tech vision we have for our city.”
Microsoft will begin offering its educational programs at Yates and Edison this fall and will continue providing instruction until 2022 in accordance with the digital alliance.