This Week in Tech, Race, and Gender - DINT 130
Lots of good news around science tech engineering and math (STEM) for youth from underrepresented groups.
News Bites
Cash coming for sports and AI at an HBCU. Google gave $100,000 to HBCU Morgan State University to help students at the university use AI in sports reporting. This donation funds a collaboration between Morgan State’s Center for Equitable AI and Machine Learning Systems and its Center for the Study of Race and Culture in Sports and independent media outlet JRSportBrief Productions.
We at DINT have long been skeptical of Google’s attempts to engage students from HBCUs. Our coverage began with our coverage of recruiter April Curley’s plight to strengthen the HBCU to Google pipeline. When she uncovered attempts to undermine that pipeline she spoke up and was fired months later.
We’ll be following this story to monitor the results of the partnership and whether positive results come from this engagement for the students at Morgan State.
Related Coverage:
Is it safe to go there? Greenbook Global taps into Expedia’s database and overal technology to alert Black travelers and to open communication for Black travelersto know about the treatment and experiences of other Black people during excursions. Check it out.
As if Boeing didn’t have enough problems. Under the leadership of a new CEO, Boeing broke apart its diveristy, equity, and inclusion division.
The kids are alright, with STEM. PBS Kids launched Lyla in the Loop last week. It features a Black girl who solves everyday challenges with the help of technology, her family and friends. It’s designed to encourage more Black children to enter science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers.
Can’t see you with that tat. New Zealand’s new facial recognition system may not identify people with tribal markings on their skin. This would expose Maori and Pasifika people to fraud and impersonation attempts, say experts.
Happy my electric bill is being put to good use. Florida Power and Light (FPL) just extended the deadline for applications for teachers to win a $50,000 classroom makeover. This is due to the effects of major hurricanes Helene and Milton. The program offers $50,000 to upgrade STEM facilities at schools with a more than 40% population of disadvantaged students. Find out more here.
Palate Cleanser
Tech expert who combines dance with technology to teach students STEM was just named a CNN Hero. Yamilee Toussaint founded From STEM to Dance, in 2012. The program encourages young women to incorporate tech into dance activities. One example: a student who developed sneakers to light up to the beat of music as she dances. Find out more about Toussaint and STEM from Dance here.
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