Global Innovation Race: School District Participation
The Global Innovation Race has welcomed participants from a wide variety of backgrounds, including students who will be the first in their family to attend college. Students from all backgrounds can gain valuable benefits. As one student explained, “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because, at school, we don’t usually have programs that focus on AI, technology, and design thinking like this. Plus, we get a head start on college life… Collaboration here is so different because international students bring ideas from all over the world. We build off each other’s experiences in a way that feels completely unique.”
Promotes Equity and Inclusivity
Promotes Equity and Inclusivity: By collaborating with Digital Media Academy to identify funding options, the program ensures that students from all economic backgrounds can participate, fostering inclusivity and equal access to high-quality educational experiences.
Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technology and Innovation
Students engage in hands-on, real-world problem-solving that emphasizes AI-based solutions and innovation, equipping them with valuable skills for future academic and professional endeavors.
Gender Equity in STEAM Education
By funding girls' participation in the Global Innovation Race, school districts actively contribute to closing the gender gap in STEAM fields. This aligns with many districts' goals of promoting gender equity, ensuring that female students have equal opportunities to engage in innovative, high-impact educational experiences.
How districts funded students’ participation
School districts have successfully secured funding from government and foundation sources to support the participation of their students in the Global Innovation Race. For example, in California, some districts have used Expanded Learning Opportunity funds and Local Control and Accountability Plan funds. Keep in mind that funding options can vary each year and depend on your location. Digital Media Academy can work with you to identify and explore potential funding sources, making the Global Innovation Race accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds.