Here are the facts: U.S. companies spend a collective $8 billion a year on diversity and inclusion efforts⇗. Despite this, in 2021, the developer Wiley found that 68% of businesses surveyed for the Diversity in Tech: 2021 US Report said that there was a lack of diversity in their tech workforces⇗. Take a step back and the statistics don’t get any better. According to Girls Who Code, 74% of middle school girls express an interest in science, math, and engineering, yet only 0.4% pursue a degree in computer science when they get to college⇗. And among black students that do declare a STEM-focused major in college, 40% switch out before earning the degree⇗.

One might argue that the above facts are simply an issue of failed diversity and inclusion efforts. But this issue is closely tied with a lack of educational encouragement.

No one can deny that STEM is important. It encourages critical thinking and provides opportunity while simultaneously driving our economy forward. Yet while STEM jobs are projected to grow 8.8%⇗ and software development employment by 22%⇗, less than half of schools in the United States offer computer sciences courses⇗.

That’s where Swarm EDU comes in. Swarm EDU is a North Carolina-based 501c3 founded in late 2021 and exists to empower and equip the next generation of creatives so that they can bring their imaginations to life and find great success in their future careers. We do this by creating programs that work to address the issue at the root: in our education system.

Swarm EDU runs and facilities STEM and arts programs across the Charlotte-Metro area to empower and equip the next generation of creatives so that they can bring their imaginations to life, and find great success in their future careers. We ask that you consider partnering with us to futher our mission and help bring imagingations to life.