Digi-Bridge Stays Course Heading into 2021

Digi-Bridge Stays Course Heading into 2021

Like most everyone, we at Digi-Bridge are looking forward to closing out 2020 and starting anew in 2021. But, that’s not to say 2020 didn’t provide us with opportunities to reach more scholars and expand our mission to grow and support 21st-century learners!

2020 began with hopes for expanded #STEAMSaturdays programming both in area schools and in the community. That may not have happened, but what did happen was equally amazing. 

#STEAMSaturdays

• • We hosted #STEAMSaturdays in winter and early spring 2020 engaging learners in a variety of STEAM topics at our amazing school partner sites: Druid Hills K-8 Academy, Ashley Park K-8 Academy, Montclaire Elementary, Bruns Avenue Elementary, Briarwood Elementary and Idlewild Elementary
  • Thank you to our funders: Honeywell, SouthPark Rotary, Ally Financial, Arts and Science Council and Junior League of Charlotte for supporting our #STEAMSaturdays school programs

Robotics Competition:

• • In February 2020, we hosted our first ever robotics showcase at the CMS Career and Technical Education Fair. Our school teams at Governors’ Village STEM Academy, Eastway Middle School, and Allenbrook Elementary showed their skills using FIRST LEGO League framework. Sedgefield Middle School and Wilson STEM Academy soon joined our squad.
  • Thank you to our funders Google Fiber, Wells Fargo, and Burroughs Wellcome Fund for investing in our robotics program

STEAM Kits:

• • In 2020, we produced more than 3,000 individual STEAM kits to provide hands-on learning paired with engaging STEAM curriculum:
    • Summer STEAM Kit – Sponsored by Lowe’s and Collins Aerospace
    • Autumn STEAM Kit – Sponsored by Honeywell
    • Winter STEAM kit – Sponsored by Lowe’s
    • Senior STEAM Kit – Sponsored by Arts and Science Council and Southminster

Events:

• • We hosted Bots and Brews,  two virtual events that gave families the opportunity to explore together in the safety of their own homes.
  • Thanks to Lowe’s and Bank of America for sponsorship of these programs.

StocktheSTEAMLab:

• • Thanks to your support we raised $12,000 and have a fully stocked #STEAMLab as we head into 2021 and launch our #STEAMLab program.

Innovation Alley: 

• • In November, we opened Innovation Alley, a creative learning space that we share with Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte and She Built This City. Thanks to a wonderful partnership with Lowe’s Foundation, this space will allow us to host programs, classes, professional development trainings and volunteer days.

The Coronavirus pandemic shed a critical light on the need for digital equity work in Charlotte and beyond. Digi-Bridge continues to be a leader in several conversation and action plans as we work to provide connectivity, access, hardware and education to students and families. While everyone’s goal is to get our students back into classrooms safely, Digi-Bridge will continue to find ways to support students, families and educators regardless of the learning environment. We can’t thank our teachers enough who have risen to the call through virtual instruction and handled it with grace, dedication, and passion.

As we look to 2021, we are aware that there is a lot of uncertainty. What is certain is that we stand rooted in our commitment to preparing students for the digital age. Digi-Bridge will lift up efforts to provide learning opportunities and advocacy support toward digital inclusion and equity because our future depends on it.

We are eager to see our students virtually in January as we launch our STEAMLab program with several returning and new partners and look forward to growing our impact.

Thank you for your continued support of Digi-Bridge.