Amazon Providing CS Education For 550,000+ Schoolchildren Amid Pandemic

theodp writes: Amazon on Monday issued a press release noting it will provide Computer Science Education for 550,000+ K-12 students annually across 5,000+ schools nationwide amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "Amazon Future Engineer coursework can be done virtually to help ensure students stay on track and continue to prepare for the jobs of the future," Amazon explained. Amazon Future Engineer also launched the Amazon Cyber Robotics Challenge, a virtual coding competition that teaches students in grade 4+ the basics of CS in the context of a real-life industry challenge -- "code an Amazon Hercules robot to deliver your friend's birthday present on time." Another case of life imitating 'The Simpsons' (screenshots: Amazon vs Simpsons)?

Learn coding now and flood the market!

[gweihir]

In addition to not ever being really good at coding (because few people will be), you can earn an absolute crappy salary too, because many, many other people can boast having this mostly useless certification as well and are in competition with you!

Personal recommendation: Learn burger flipping. Better hours, better pay, better job-security.

Re:

[Nrrqshrr]

If they are good they will be Amazon Engineers. If they're not they will be in the warehouse. And in both cases, they will be buying from Amazon.
Big B is investing in his future slaves and consumers. A wise move.

Spambait?

[Tablizer]

See Dick and Jane play ball [hyperlink to order balls]. See Spot watch Dick and Jane play ball [click to order dog-food]. See Spot chase the ball into the yard [click to order fences]. See Mom pat Spot [click to order flea powder]. Mom looks very nice today [click to order dresses]. See Dad smile [click for denture supplies]...

Press release == public relations bullshit.

[I'mjusthere]

In addition to supporting computer science education, Amazon is supporting communities in a range of ways during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has donated more than 13,000 laptops to students in need, distributed more than $5 million worth of Amazon devices to help healthcare workers and nonprofits, delivered more than 6 million meals across 25 U.S. cities, launched free, virtual computer science resources for thousands of students, donated more than $20 million to help accelerate COVID-19 research, donated $10 million in critically needed PPE supplies, and more. To learn more about what Amazon is doing in response to COVID-19 for communities, employees, partners, and customers, check out the Amazon Blog: Day One.

$5 million "worth" of Amazon devices? Is that retail or their cost?

Let's say it is. So all of that adds up to about an even $22,000,000 (I priced the laptops at $500 ea. I seriously doubt they hand out Macbook pros or something.) Amazon could easily spend a hundred times that and not really miss it and do a hell of a lot more. Much more than 13,000 laptops are needed and what about broadband? I see nothing about laying fiber into these poor areas or helping out with ISP bills. A company that spends $18.88 B [statista.com]

Does it work for MD too?

[OffTheLip]

I mean, anyone can be taught anything, right?

real education

[awwshit]

My kids need a real basic education, not Amazon drone-worker training.

Re:

[youngone]

Amazon drone-worker training, Walmart drone-worker training, McDonalds drone-worker training, it's all the same, and they don't care about your kids.
It would be nice if your kids could get a proper education without having to go into debt for 10s of thousands.

Bye bye overpriced college.

[Fly Swatter]

If this is successful, using probably a bunch of prerecorded lectures and do-it-yourself course work and tests. Then for the majority that need a 'degree', the old college system should die in a fire.

It is overpriced for what you get, AND you get to carry a permanent ball and chain student loan around with you.

Re:

[Zend Optimizer]

It is very easy to judge. But my daughter for example, injured her right hand because her professors forced her to rewrite many documents when she was on so-called home education due to this Covid-19. So now as she must submit her finance essay she simply cannot do it. I decided that she will need to check https://getfinanceessay.com/ [getfinanceessay.com] and see how to get that ready. This company is the leader in this field.