STEM in Every Corner
In partnership with: The Atlanta Track Club, Microsoft
Bringing STEM to where the kids are
The Atlanta Track Club (ATC) is a member-based organization centered around running that delivers world-class events, training programs and community outreach activities to the Metro Atlanta Area. Microsoft partnered with ATC in efforts to deliver high quality STEM and Computer Science activities centered around the BBC micro:bit and Microsoft MakeCode.
Fair Chance Learning was called upon to bring the experiences to life in organizing plugged and unplugged STEM activities for Atlanta families at the Mid-week Mile-and-Dash, the Peachtree Junior Road Race, and the Peachtree Race Expo in summer of 2022. Fair Chance Learning delivered an unforgettable experience bringing ‘STEM to every corner’ of the Atlanta community and continues its relationship working with Microsoft and ATC in creating and implementing a supplementary curriculum package titled “STEM on Track” to accompany ATC’s existing Kilometer Kids Coaches Curriculum.
By the numbers
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37,000
attendees
500 STEM kits donated
This year, Microsoft became the title sponsor of Peachtree Junior, Atlanta Track Club's marquee youth event, which took place July 3, the day before the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) Peachtree Road Race. Microsoft was called upon to curate and integrate STEM activities into the Microsoft Peachtree Junior, the Peachtree Health & Fitness Expo presented by Publix, and the Club's free-to-all Kilometer Kids Program in more than 40 schools in the Atlanta area. The activities are based on the Microsoft MakeCode platform, where kids are able to learn how to code a running-themed video game and use a micro:bit device to create their own personal step counters.
"It is very exciting to work with Atlanta Track Club to find ways of introducing STEM and computer science through running-themed activities to children around Atlanta," said Jeff Hansen, general manager of strategic partnerships at Microsoft. "Beyond the youth experiences, Microsoft is also exploring how technology can empower the Atlanta Track Club to best serve its community."
In addition to youth programming, Microsoft is working with Atlanta Track Club to streamline the Club's technology operations through Microsoft's wide range of products, such as Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams. The Club was provided with access to Microsoft Surface tablets at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race on July 4 to ensure efficient, reliable communication between staff and volunteers at the world's largest 10K race.
Microsoft reached out to Fair Chance Learning in early 2022, upon establishing this multiyear partnership with ATC, with the understanding that when it comes to creating elevated learning experiences centred around accessibility and STEM, there’s no one better for the job than FCL!
FCL worked closely alongside both Microsoft team members as well as key ATC point people from May through September 2022 to bring to life two large-scale outdoor tech events for kids (Midweek Mile-and-Dash and Peachtree Junior Road Race), a 1600 sq. ft. expo booth at the Peachtree Expo, and a start-to-finish supplementary STEM curriculum package to accompany the existing Kilometer Kids curriculum.
