The Entertainment Software Association and Austin ISD recently announced the expansion of the ESA Digital Living Project to include the Radius-STEM Readiness course.

The course explores topics, such as careers in STEM, binary numbers and rational and irrational numbers.

The courses are available to all middle schools in Austin ISD, with various high schools opting to participate as well. Last year, ESA sponsored Ignition and this year moved to include the Radius course, as an expansion, to those participating schools as well.  

The program teaches science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills to middle and high school students. A partnership with ESA allows the program, developed by EverFi Inc., to expand to students in the Austin area at no cost.

“It is critical that we provide our schools with effective and meaningful resources in the classroom,” said Annette Gregory, AISD executive director of Career and Technical Education. “I congratulate the students today on their achievements and thank the Entertainment Software Association for its efforts in engaging students about STEM technology and careers and helping to prepare our young people for the jobs of the future.”

Since the ESA Digital Living Project launched in 2014, the program has served more than 10 schools and 2,000 students throughout AISD.

At a networking brunch to launch the expansion, local educators and community leaders shared remarks with students from Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy about the importance of technology and STEM skills.

Speakers included Tom Foulkes, vice president of state government affairs for ESA; Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy Principal Ivette Savina; and students in the program. STEM professionals from the Austin community joined students for a networking discussion about women in STEM, workforce issues and future career opportunities.

Through the expanded project, ESA aims to encourage students to embrace STEM and technology education opportunities, leverage technology in a safe and effective manner and create active pathways for career success in STEM and other fields.  

“The ESA Digital Living Project aims to equip students with the digital and STEM skills they need to be successful,” said Tom Foulkes, vice president at ESA. “We are pleased to provide Austin middle and high school students with expanded resources around online responsibility, cyberbullying, privacy and security, STEM careers and other critical skills.”

AISD Short_DigitalLivingProject2015 from Austin ISD TV on Vimeo.