Latin America, February 8, 2023 — Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, and United Way, a non-profit serving communities’ most pressing needs for 100 years, and its network of chartered schools, are partnering to launch a new volunteering initiative to introduce science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) training to more than 3,000 students and teachers across Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru.
Through the “Aprendamos STEM” program, more than 1,000 Kyndryl technical experts will work with students and their teachers at select United Way affiliated schools. These Kyndryl volunteers will raise awareness on the opportunities that STEM careers offer to students through hands on education and teacher training around integrating STEM into their daily lessons. This initiative aims to inspire student curiosity in STEM and help them develop the necessary skills to enter the technological market to drive future economic and sustainable development of the region.
According to the World Bank, only 30% of students in Latin America meet the minimum standards in science, leaving the region unprepared and lacking expertise in key measures of innovation. This program seeks to inspire today’s students to tap into all the possibilities offered by the digital economy and aspire to become the next generation of Latin America’s technology professionals.
“Our collaboration with Kyndryl accelerates the United Way’s commitment to increase access to contemporary skills, like STEM for young students in our region,” said Marco Matute, Corporate Relations Manager for United Way Latin America. “Through this corporate volunteer program, Kyndryl and the United Way will provide our students with valuable exposure to relevant 21st century skills and provide a launch pad to amplify their career aspirations.”
“Kyndryl is committed to driving human progress and shaping a just and sustainable future through our corporate social responsibility practices," says Carlos Saucedo, Corporate Social Responsibility Leader at Kyndryl Latin America. "By partnering with the United Way, we seek to awaken the curiosity of Latin American students to the possibilities of a career in technology, while sharing our own technical knowledge to expand their growth and offer diverse, fun and interactive learning experiences."
Activities by country:
In Argentina, Kyndryl volunteers will participate in the "Future Scientists STEM Day" event, which will take place in several secondary schools and consists of a variety of educational sessions where volunteers will mentor students and coach them on designing innovative solutions to real-world scientific problems. The project will reach 300 students with a focus on delivering scientific and technological knowledge as well as actively developing students’ creative, collaborative, and critical thinking skills.
In Brazil, starting in May, around 460 Kyndryl volunteers will participate in activities in a hybrid model (virtual and face-to-face) reaching more than 1,100 high schoolers across 10 social organizations in the cities of São Paulo and Hortolândia. The project consists of a bootcamp that aims to provide practical demonstrations and experiments for students to inspire them to pursue careers in sciences and STEM.
In Chile, Kyndryl employees will lead two Arduino robotics workshops for second-year students from the Cardenal José María Caro school in the metropolitan region of Santiago. Volunteers will meet with students to share programming language, the concepts of Arduino electronics, teach strategies, and plan activities to facilitate the learning process and strengthen critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration skills.
In Colombia, Kyndryl employees will participate in the "Scientists for a Day" experience, where they will share their STEM knowledge with 8th grade students. The project will promote exploration, experimentation and innovation, encouraging student curiosity, creativity and understanding of the world around them, while developing STEM skills.
In Costa Rica, Kyndryl employees will volunteer in a series of STEM rallies with Fundación Parque La Libertad. Students will be challenged to a race in the park and will need to solve STEM problems to get through the next activity. The project focuses on promoting personal and group problem-solving based on STEM skills for students between 12 and 15 years old.
In Mexico, Kyndryl employees will participate in the "Science to Share" volunteer project, which includes a series of events to foster curiosity about science careers in STEM. The program is in a hybrid format, with face-to-face and virtual sessions, reaching more than 820 students from several schools affiliated with United Way Mexico.
In Peru, Kyndryl employees will deliver key education through a hybrid model (face-to-face and virtual) to students between the ages of 12 and 15 from educational institutions targeted by United Way Peru from the “Born Learning” program, in Lima. The activities aim to drive curiosity and an interest in technology and help students develop technological and digital skills.
About Kyndryl
Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, serving thousands of enterprise customers in more than 60 countries. The company designs, builds, manages, and modernizes the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, visit www.kyndryl.com.
About United Way
United Way unites people to build strong communities where everyone thrives. As one of the world's largest privately funded charities, serving 95% of communities in the US and 37 countries and territories; with humanitarian aid that supports 48 million people each year. Through the United Way, communities face difficult challenges and work with private, public and nonprofit partners to advance education, affordable solutions and health resources. United Way is the entity of choice for 1.5 million volunteers, 6.8 million donors and 45,000 corporate partners in more than 1,100 communities around the world in our second century of service.
In Latin America, the work of United Way has benefited more than 1.6 million people, with the support of 62,500 volunteers and more than 500 companies that, among various development initiatives, have boosted the development of early childhood, educational resources for children and young people, as well as the development of opportunities in the region. Together, we are building resilient and equitable communities around the world. Learn more at UnitedWay.org. Follow us: @UnitedWay and #LiveUnited.
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