Amazon has supported Technovation [MN] for the past two years. After being inspired by our work with young girls, Amazon partnered with us to present the “Alexa Skills Challenge.” It provides students with an opportunity to get direct, hands-on application of creating a voice-enabled Alexa skill to help make everyday tasks faster, easier, and more delightful for users. The challenge was designed to empower students to solve complex problems through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, especially young women. Women make up half of the total college-educated workforce in the U.S., but they only constitute 25 percent of the STEM workforce, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

On Thursday, November 15, Amazon hosted a celebration for all the junior high and high school students to showcase their Alexa skill in front of Amazons’ technology teams. As part of the celebration, the girls were not only surprised with prizes such as Amazon’s Echo devices, but Amazon also revealed a $20,000 donation to help us continue to inspire young girls in pursuit of STEM.

 

Thank you Amazon for your support!