Empowering Access to Computer Science Education with AVID and Microsoft TEALS

 

Panel discussion with facilitator Jasmine Brett Stringer and AVID partners including representatives from Microsoft TEALS, Code.org, and more.

 

At Upstream Solutions, our mission is to empower organizations through innovative digital media strategies, creative communication solutions, and effective project management. Our collaboration with AVID and Microsoft TEALS demonstrated the impact of these capabilities, enhancing access to computer science education nationwide.

Overview

Over the past year, Upstream Solutions partnered with AVID and Microsoft TEALS to strengthen their computer science education initiative. Our comprehensive approach integrated strategic communication, project management, and content creation to connect teachers, volunteers, and industry partners, expanding their outreach and engagement across multiple platforms.

Our Approach

  1. Strategic Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
    Upstream Solutions managed the communications, acting as a vital link between multiple stakeholders, including teachers, volunteers, and partners from Microsoft Philanthropies and AVID. This work included crafting impactful messaging, developing dynamic content, and ensuring consistent engagement across channels, from email campaigns to social media and conference outreach.

  2. Project Management & Coordination
    Our project management role included overseeing recruitment efforts and managing communications between teachers, volunteers, and partners at both Microsoft Philanthropies and AVID. This work involved ensuring smooth coordination across all stakeholders and driving the project toward its objectives.

  3. Content Creation & Amplification
    We enhanced program visibility by recording panels and interviews at national conferences, capturing authentic stories from participants and stakeholders. These were edited into shareable assets that were used in social media campaigns on platforms like LinkedIn and integrated into training sessions to boost engagement and provide a personal touch for recruitment efforts.

  4. Training Development & Delivery
    Upstream Solutions contributed to the development of training content for both teachers and volunteers, and delivered training workshops to hundreds of tech industry professionals across the country. These sessions were designed to be interactive and informative, helping volunteers effectively share their experiences with teachers and students in the classroom to provide greater access to computer science education.

  5. Iterative Approach & Feedback Integration
    By adopting an iterative approach to the delivery of training workshops, we used participant feedback to continually refine and enhance our training materials. This focus on data-driven growth ensured that volunteers were better equipped to engage with students and teachers, creating a more impactful experience for all involved.

The Power of Partnership

Our collaboration illustrates how strategic communication, content creation, and project management can strengthen partnerships across different industries. At Upstream Solutions, we developed communication strategies and digital assets that aligned with both organizations' goals, supporting their shared mission to expand computer science education.

We created a dashboard to keep both teams informed during early-stage engagement and recruitment, captured compelling content to drive program visibility, and delivered targeted volunteer training that enhanced program impact. This work showcased how tailored communication solutions can amplify efforts, creating value for all partners involved.

Looking Forward

Upstream Solutions is proud of the role we played in this impactful partnership and remains committed to supporting similar initiatives that align with our mission to empower organizations through innovative communication and project management solutions.

Key Outcomes

  • Enhanced Volunteer Engagement: Improved training effectiveness through data-driven refinements, leading to better-prepared volunteers.

  • Amplified Reach: Leveraged content on social media platforms like LinkedIn to engage a wider audience and provide authentic storytelling.

  • Seamless Coordination: Managed complex communications and logistics across multiple stakeholders, ensuring alignment and progress toward project goals.