MIT announces “MIT for America” program
The initiative is focused on problem-solving, AI literacy, innovation, and STEM education
In a letter to the MIT community on Oct. 6, President Sally Kornbluth announced the launch of MIT for America, a broader effort consolidating existing Institute efforts to increase access to STEM education across the United States.
Cynthia Breazeal, Professor of Media Arts and Sciences and the Benesse Professor of Research in Education, and Eric Klopfer, director of the Scheller Teacher Education Program and the Education Arcade at MIT, are the initiative’s faculty co-directors.
“The motivation for the program is deeply connected to MIT’s mission of educating ‘students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century,’” they wrote in a joint statement to The Tech.
The initiative’s three main pillars reflect that goal: “Mathematical Thinking & Problem Solving,” “Learn, Live & Work with AI,” and “Design, Make, & Innovate.” The focus areas were selected based on statistics on the state of education in the country. Under “Why it matters now,” the website lists how 53% of U.S. high schools offer AP Calculus, 6% of high school students have the chance to take computer science, and 39% of U.S. undergraduate students attend community colleges.
To address these gaps, members of the MIT community, including established outreach programs, faculty, and students, will contribute to the effort. “UROPs and grad students are already involved in creating curriculum and tools and helping with programs in math, AI literacy, and making,” Breazeal and Klopfer said.
The initiative has already begun developing and testing programs. One early example is the MIT for America: Calculus Program, developed with MIT students and high schools nationwide. It combines on-site summer calculus intensives with academic-year tutoring and mentoring and will continue expanding throughout the fall.
Looking ahead, Breazeal and Klopfer said they hope to expand student involvement on campus to support more students and teachers off campus.