WATERBORO — Computer science, encompassing coding, robotics, forensics, and a variety of STEM-based career fields, is the largest growing field of the 21st century. Yet the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by the close of the decade, there will be a deficit of one million computer science graduates in the United States and the Amazon Future Engineer program aims to tighten that gap.

Massabesic High School will be one of the 2,000 high schools to be funded under the initiative beginning this fall. Amazon, through their partnership and collaboration with curriculum provider Edhesive, will supply students and instructors with the resources to excel in Introduction to Computer Science and Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science classes and these courses are made possible through support from the Future Engineer program.

James Hand has been the principal of Massabesic since the 2016-2017 school year, and is ready to introduce his students to the initiative.

“I believe this program has the ability to open up possibilities to Massabesic students that they previously were not aware of,” said Hand.

The program is focused upon the underrepresented, underprivileged, and underserved communities within the United States. In four distinct parts — Kindergarten through eighth grade, high school, scholarships, and internships — students can feasibly pursue a career within computer science or another STEM-related field.

The program began in November 2018 as a component of Amazon’s community outreach program, working to increase exposure to technology and guarantee success for prospective scientists, technicians, engineers, and mathematicians.

Amazon Future Engineer has donated more than $10 million to organizations that promote computer science education across the country.

And with this opportunity, Massabesic students under Brian Laich will enter the field prepared to compete in their sector.

“The most important thing about any issue we face in the near future is that multiple perspectives will be needed to solve them in nearly every case. The experiences and perspectives of students at Massabesic and similar schools will be a needed component in computer science and many other areas of study,” said Laich, primary instructor of MHS’ computer science courses.

Schools, administrators, and teachers interested in applying to any stage of the Amazon Future Engineer program can apply and learn more at https://edhesive.com/amazon/apply

For more information about Amazon Future Engineer, please refer to About Amazon.