Sarasota Military Academy, a local, public charter school, was recently accepted to participate in the Amazon Future Engineers Program for the upcoming 2019 – 2020 school year. The program will be incorporated into the academy’s existing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum.
While SMA’s STEM program will continue to focus on both AP and IB Computer Science courses, the Amazon Future Engineers Program will provide additional opportunities for college scholarships and internships through Amazon for eligible high school cadets.
“We are proud to be one of the high schools selected nationally to participate in the Amazon Future Engineers (AFE) Program,” said SMA-CPT Daniel Goodman, Sarasota Military Academy High School Science Instructor. “According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, next year, there will be 1.4 million jobs requiring computer science expertise, but only 400,000 computer science graduates with the necessary skills. Through programs such as AFE, Amazon is helping to bridge the gap.”
The Amazon Future Engineers Program is described by Amazon as a “comprehensive childhood-to-career program to inspire, educate and train children and young adults from underserved and low-income communities to pursue careers in computer science.” Among other tools provided through the program, resources include curriculum, support, professional development, recruitment resources and career connections.
“With innovative programs such as this, our professors are always searching for ways to provide added value for our cadets. Being accepted for such a prestigious and selective program is an honor that we are proud to utilize in our curriculum,” said SMA-COL Christina Bowman, Sarasota Military Academy Executive Director of Schools. “As a local, public charter school, we are proud to continue to push boundaries and challenge our cadets as they confidently define their personal and unique goals for success.”
After the initial launch in November 2018, the Amazon Future Engineer Program will fund computer science classes throughout the nation and select students will be given the chance to apply for scholarships and paid internships.
About Sarasota Military Academy
Founded in 2002, Sarasota Military Academy (SMA) is a public charter school and college preparatory academy with two campuses located in Sarasota, Florida. Combining extraordinary academics with the highest military principles of camaraderie, focus, leadership, integrity, compassion, poise, honor and respect, SMA’s mission is to graduate young men and women who will confidently define their personal and unique goals for success in a multi-cultural and globalized world. Sarasota Military Academy High School is located at 801 N. Orange Avenue and Sarasota Military Academy Prep Middle School, is located at 3101 Bethel Lane. To learn more about SMA, visit http://www.sarasotamilitaryacademy.org/.
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