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Lab Report







 
July 10, 2020
No. 143

THIS WEEK 
Building career pathways in underserved areas. 

Plus: broadband deployment, stratospheric balloons, and roller skates.

Featured story

FUTURE OF WORK & EDUCATION

Just launched: $600,000 challenge to advance rural technology education

No matter where they want to work or what they want to do, today’s high school students will need advanced technology skills. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the tech industry will add more than 500,000 new jobs over the next decade — and many of those jobs are not location-dependent. Rural communities can be a source of tech talent, and skills-based distance learning can help build career pathways in underserved areas. 

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education launched the Rural Tech Project, a $600,000 challenge to advance rural technology education and prepare students for the careers of today and tomorrow. The Department invites high schools and local educational agencies to propose technology education programs that use competency-based distance learning. 

By advancing technology skills development, rural communities can help their students prepare for rewarding career opportunities. This open innovation challenge, designed and produced by Luminary Labs, will empower educators with resources to create technology education programs that are customized for their students and local needs.
 
READ MORE IN THE LAB REPORT


TECHNOLOGY & EQUITY

Opportunities to improve broadband access — and why it matters

Broadband has always been critical — in 2016, the United Nations declared access to the internet a human right. And this year, as school, office work, and even healthcare have moved online, disparities in broadband access have become even more obvious and concerning.

The rapid shift to remote learning (also called distance learning) has emphasized technology divides across the country — particularly for low-income and rural students. Of the 53 million U.S. students mandated to stay at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, an estimated 15 to 18 million are without broadband access in their homes or neighborhoods.

Rural schools and their students are more likely than their urban and suburban peers to face technological constraints: Only 63% of Americans in rural communities have broadband internet access at home and students in rural areas are less likely to have devices at home than those in non-rural settings.

Supporting education — during the pandemic and beyond — will require expanded access to affordable broadband. CovidX is exploring opportunities to improve broadband access and why it’s important for distance learning, remote work, and telehealth. 
 
READ MORE IN THE COVIDX DIGEST

Insights & updates


New York City announced plans to accelerate implementation of its Internet Master Plan with a municipal investment in broadband deployment that would bring high-speed internet to 600,000 New Yorkers. 


Loon — a GoogleX project bringing internet connections to remote places via stratospheric balloons — is now providing service to Kenya.

NASA plans to rename its D.C. headquarters building after Mary W. Jackson, the agency’s first African American female engineer.


If you’re dusting off your roller skates or buying a bicycle, you’re not alone: The coronavirus pandemic is changing the ways we get around town

Cool jobs & opportunities

The New York Times is hiring an Associate Puzzle Editor in New York. 

The Canadian Digital Service is looking for a Senior Content Designer.

Partners in Health is seeking a Senior Analyst, Data Interpretation & Use in Boston. 

The Public Policy Lab is accepting submissions for its 2020-21 Public Design Associate and Public Design Fellowship programs in New York.  

Coding it Forward’s First Act Fund is “providing up to $10,000 and support to early-stage doers with ideas for significant technical solutions to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.” Apply by July 17

Newlab is hosting a virtual panel discussion on the future of 5G. Register for the free event on July 16
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