21 Schools Selected for New FUSE Studios with CompTIA-Funded Tech Activities for Students

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Mar 20, 2017, 11:30 ET

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., March 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of its NextUp initiative to interest teens in tech careers, CompTIA has partnered with FUSE at Northwestern University to equip 21 schools in nine states each with an interactive FUSE Studio. Each studio allows dozens or even hundreds of students to dive into challenging, self-directed projects ranging from using SketchUp to design their dream home to using a 3D printer to make jewelry to building their own solar-powered mini-car. CompTIA and FUSE also will collaborate to build three IT-focused challenges designed to expose youth to various IT professions and career pathways in fun and engaging ways.

"We are proud to sponsor these FUSE labs for so many deserving schools where students will get hands-on, self-directed STEM learning," said Charles Eaton, executive vice president, social innovation, CompTIA. "We're excited to include three new tech challenges to the FUSE portfolio and to connect local IT pros to mentor students at their local FUSE school."

"FUSE has begun a new phase of industry partnerships as part of our new National Science Foundation initiative and we couldn't be happier to have CompTIA as our first major industry partner. CompTIA and FUSE share a vision for bringing exciting and innovative tech experiences to the widest range of young people across the country," said Reed Stevens, director and founder of FUSE and professor of learning sciences at Northwestern University.

The new FUSE Studios to be launched this fall have the potentials to serve 2,165 students at 21 schools in nine states.

Bartle School, Highland Park, NJ
Blackshear Elementary, Austin, TX
Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy Charter School, New York City, NY
Dr. Lawrence H. Moore Math, Science, & Technology Academy, Los Angeles, CA
Eagle Rock School & Professional Development Center, Estes Park, CO
Gemini Jr. High School, Niles, IL
Hadley Junior High School, Glen Ellyn, IL
Hardy Williams High School, Philadelphia, PA
Harmony School of Innovation, Brownsville, TX
Harmony Science Academy, San Antonio, TX
Hector J. Garcia Early College High School, Laredo, TX
John T. McCutcheon Elementary School-Middle School Branch, Chicago, IL
Lake Riviera Middle School, Brick, NJ
Manual Academy, Peoria, IL
Olmsted Academy South, Louisville, KY
Sawyer Elementary, Chicago, IL
School of Science and Technology Discovery, Leon Valley, TX
Shoesmith Elementary School, Chicago, IL
Stone Magnet Middle School, Melbourne, FL
Urban Promise Academy Middle School, Oakland, CA
William L. Dickinson High School, Jersey City, NJ

Funded by CompTIA and managed by Creating IT Futures, NextUp will build a mentoring program between CompTIA's IT pros and FUSE students. The mentors will work in the studios to support facilitators or help to design and direct deeper learning experiences for students. CompTIA members and IT pros who live near a FUSE studio can volunteer to be mentors by contacting Joan Matz at [email protected].

Press Contact:
Lisa Fasold
Creating IT Futures
630-678-8558
[email protected]

SOURCE CompTIA