Ready, Set, Make: Cognizant and the New York Hall of Science recognized by the White House
From bots, electronic gadgets, and software programs to crafts, music and technology-enhanced clothing, the U.S. is entrenched in a week dedicated to Making. Celebrating those who create and inspiring the youngest of makers, the National Week of Making features makeathons, maker spaces, clinics, workshops and more. Its showcase event, The National Maker Faire, is sponsored by Cognizant.
This year, partnering with the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI), Cognizant has been recognized by the White House in conjunction with the Faire. Kathryn Nash, Cognizant’s Associate Director of Education, will participate in the Capitol Hill Maker Faire Panel, Making and Education: K-12.
“Working with NYSCI and supporting organizations that give young people the opportunity to make as well as attend a Maker Faire is of critical importance to Cognizant,” commented Nash. “If you think about the learning cycle, it’s really a circle; a circle of learning via making, experiencing, and teaching. Maker Faires exemplify the circle of learning, giving kids the opportunity to dream, create and take risks all while fostering skills critical to success in today’s global economy.”
A pillar of Cognizant’s commitment to promote accessible, stimulating, enriching and fun learning opportunities, Cognizant’s signature Making the Future program is dedicated to expanding and enhancing access to STEM education, and sparking young people’s interest in STEM by creating fun, hands-on learning opportunities through after-school and summer programs, nonprofit partnerships, and college scholarships.
“Cognizant’s goal is to drive an interest and passion for STEM education across all socio-economical and gender divides,” continued Nash. “To fully equip kids, we also seek to strengthen the very human skills of communication and collaboration, and deepen creative problem solving skills. Coupled together, STEM education and these more personal skills prepare our youngest Makers to thrive in virtually every endeavor they undertake, including their careers, where these skills will only continue to grow in demand over the coming years.”
Cognizant believes strong STEM literacy, coupled with the 21st century skills of creativity and collaboration, will help create a brighter future for our children and prepare the next generation to drive innovation and growth in global economy. When the first National Maker’s Faire was launched in 2014, Cognizant committed to triple its maker efforts and provide 1.5 million hours of maker education programs to 25,000 children in 200 communities by 2017.