The Indianapolis-based TechPoint Foundation for Youth has named the Informatics Diversity-Enhanced Workforce program as the recipient of this year’s Bridge Builder Award. The program, hosted by the Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI, will receive the award at the TechPoint Mira Awards next week.
TechPoint says the award “recognizes visionary leaders who help underserved student populations in Indiana access experiential learning opportunities that inspire the pursuit of STEM careers.”
iDEW provides technical skills education and career opportunities to girls and students of color at eight high schools in Indianapolis. TechPoint says that of the more than 2,500 students who have enrolled in the program, nearly 80% are pursuing a STEM degree.
“iDEW’s mission aligns directly with our Foundation’s vision to provide access to STEM education and career opportunities for young Hoosiers who are disproportionately represented in Indiana’s engineering workforce,” said George Giltner, the foundation’s chief executive officer , in written comments. † “Their team is committed to this important work and really deserves this award.”
This will be the second Mira Award presented to iDEW; the program received the Tech Educator of the Year Award in 2018.
Click here for more information about the iDEW program.
The Mira Awards 2022 will be presented at TechPoint’s annual gala on April 23. At the event, the foundation said it will launch a fundraising campaign to extend its State Robotics Initiative to the classroom.
