At Niantic, we are committed to equitable education and fueling the next generation of innovators. In the past, we’ve partnered with non-profits such as Big Heritage and Tech in the Tenderloin to educate and inspire players and non-players alike. As students from all over the world head back to school, we’re thrilled to share some of the new ways we’re continuing to uphold our commitment to education.
First, we are happy to announce a new partnership with TechRow Fund, a non-profit that launched in 2017. With our support, TechRow Fund will lead a series of augmented reality (AR) education initiatives in Harlem schools. Using their immersion and makers models, we will design programs that explore how AR technology can support teachers in the classroom and teach students how to be AR creators. This program will focus on two concrete initiatives; build awareness around how the technology can be used to enrichen classroom instruction and invest in a diverse and youthful pipeline of AR storytellers. Developing a program within schools in this capacity will enable education systems serving under-represented groups an opportunity to create the culture shifts needed to enable systemic use of AR technology in practical and innovative ways.
Second, we recently launched a matching campaign with DonorsChoose.org in which we’re matching funds to computer science and coding projects for high need schools in the communities of our US offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Bellevue. We’re proud to support STEM programs in our communities and strongly believe in the importance of ensuring that all children have opportunities to explore hobbies and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Check out the donation page and help support teachers!
We’ve got some additional projects in the works, touching on educational needs in communities around the world, including places like Ghana and Latin America. We look forward to announcing more about those initiatives and partnerships soon. Education and learning is an important piece of Niantic’s social impact work and we’re looking forward to continuing our commitment towards education through technology this back-to-school season.
If you’re using AR or one of our products to help promote community building or education, drop us a note us and tell us what you’re working on at social-impact@nianticlabs.com.
—Yennie Solheim, Social Impact