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About Amazon Web Services (AWS) GetIT

AWS GetIT is an education programme and competition designed to inspire and empower all 12- to 14-year-old students, especially girls and other students from underrepresented communities, to gain digital skills and consider a career in technology. The programme helps students learn how to use tech and the cloud to solve real-world problems, explore different types of tech careers, and meet professionals in tech. During the programme, AWS GetIT offers support to students and teachers through ambassadors, who are tech professionals connected to historically underrepresented communities and want to be role models that inspire the future generation of inclusive and diverse tech leaders. AWS GetIT and Future Foundations are collaborating to bring the programme to schools across the United Kingdom.

The AWS GetIT programme starts in the Autumn term and provides 11 hours of content which can be delivered over 3 – 6 months. 

To register your interest for the 2024-25 AWS GetIT programme, please click on the button below to complete the form and we will be in touch in May when recruitment opens.

How does AWS GetIT work?

AWS GetIT is designed to run throughout the academic year and includes programme curriculum and an optional competition. The programme offers teachers 11 hours of curriculum content divided into eight main sections, plus two optional supplemental sections. The programme is ready for delivery in a classroom setting, either in-person or virtually, online or offline. With support from ambassadors, schools will determine when and how students will participate in different parts of the programme.

Programme Curriculum

In the programme, students will explore environmental and social issues as they prepare to work in teams to pick an app idea and design an app wireframe, solving problems in their communities. Students will learn and leverage foundational skills, including cloud basics, elements of design thinking, proof of concept, storyboarding, and research methods for idea viability. Students will also build experience working in teams and gain self-confidence, all while being exposed to potential careers in technology.

Competition

After completing the programme curriculum, schools can submit one student app idea for consideration in a nation-wide competition. The top 3 teams will go through to the Final to present to a judging panel of experts in the tech industry. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AWS?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform, offering over 200 fully featured services from data centres globally. Millions of customers—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—are using AWS to lower costs, become more agile, and innovate faster. AWS is an Amazon.com company.

Learn more about what cloud computing is from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxT233EdY5c&t=2s

How much does it AWS GetIT cost to participate?

The programme is fully funded and is available at no cost for schools, educators and students.

Is there a competition?

Yes, there is an optional competition for teams that have completed bootcamp. Submissions will be open in April 2024. We will accept a maximum of one submission per school.

Who are ambassadors and what is their role?

AWS GetIT Ambassadors are tech professionals connected to historically underrepresented communities from Amazon or AWS teams and customers. Ambassadors are passionate about inspiring the future generation of inclusive and diverse tech leaders. Each school participating in AWS GetIT is paired with an AWS GetIT Ambassador. During the programme, ambassadors introduce the students to AWS GetIT via a Kick-off Presentation and assist student teams with their app idea and competition submission, while providing ongoing support to ensure educators and students get the most out of their experience.

Who can participate in AWS GetIT?

All 12- to 14-year-old students enrolled at a school or institution where AWS GetIT is offered are eligible to participate. AWS GetIT strongly encourages every school to ensure participation is inclusive and representative of the population at the school, with at least 50% of programme participants being girls and other students from underrepresented communities. AWS GetIT wants to welcome all individuals to ensure promotion of equitable knowledge sharing of the opportunities in technology, and to challenge the gender stereotype within the tech industry.

I am a Special Educational Needs school. Can we participate in AWS GetIT?

Yes! We can support your school by making adjustments and providing additional support via telephone calls and video calls during the programme.

What opportunities are available to schools, teachers and students after completing AWS GetIT?

From Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) units and activities for primary and secondary classrooms to self-paced learning content, AWS offers opportunities for students, teachers and schools to explore programs during or after finishing AWS GetIT, including:

  • AWS Educate – Hundreds of hours of self-paced training and resources for new-to-cloud learners—including hands-on labs in the AWS Management Console
  • AWS Spark – ready-to-teach units with hands-on labs designed to fit into existing classroom curriculum
  • Amazon Future Engineer – student access to computer science and career exploration across grade levels, and computer science teacher training offerings

Contact

If you have any questions about the AWS GetIT programme, please contact our team at: aws@future-foundations.co.uk