Amazon.com Inc.

05/11/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/11/2026 03:17

How Amazon Think Big Spaces has 100,000 students participating in STEM education programs

Starting this week, students aged 13 to 16 from 10 countries are being invited to design a new sneaker line using recycled materials as part of the first ever Amazon Think Big Community Challenge, in partnership with Brooks Running. Using a generative AI education app built by Wildlife on Amazon Bedrock, students will customize their designs while learning about AI, business, sustainable product design, and teamwork.
The challenge is just the latest chapter in a much bigger story - one that started with a single classroom in Virginia and has since grown into a global network of 116 learning spaces, reaching more than 100,000 students across 12 countries.

AWS commits $100 million to expand education access with cloud and AI technology

From digital libraries in Pakistan to exam prep in Brazil, the AWS Education Equity Initiative is helping organizations scale innovative solutions that make learning more accessible.

"Amazon works hard to ensure the communities in which we operate are better off because we're there. One of the ways we do that is by expanding access to hands-on STEM experiences to prepare the next generation of innovators," said Kerry Person, vice president of AWS Global Operations and Data Center Delivery.
"The Think Big Community Challenge puts advanced AI tools in students' hands so they can create and innovate in a real-world context. We can't wait to see what they build."

Where student innovation meets real-world challenges

Students working at the AWS Think Big Space at River Oaks Elementary School.

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The world generates more than 2 billion tons of household waste each year, a figure the World Bank expects to rise by 73% by 2050. To tackle this, one of the most practical places to start is how products are designed and what materials they're made from.
The Amazon Think Big Community Challenge puts that principle into practice. In partnership with Brooks Running - a fellow signatory to The Climate Pledge - the competition asks students to rethink sneaker design using recycled materials and environmentally friendly dye colors.
The generative AI education app, built by Wildlife on AWS, is supported through free AWS Credits under the AWS Education Equity Initiative, a $100 million cloud credits commitment to provide cloud computing resources and technical expertise to organizations building digital learning solutions for underserved students worldwide. The initiative aims to help 60 million learners gain access to future skills education over the next five years.

Amazon invests to bring AI education to 500,000 students nationwide

Through a partnership with Playlab AI, Amazon is helping educators and students across the U.S. gain hands-on experience with AI while participating in the White House Presidential AI Challenge.

"At Brooks we are committed to prioritizing sustainability in everything we do," said Pete Humphrey, vice president of Research and Development at Brooks Sports. "Through this competition with Amazon, we're excited to engage with students worldwide, inviting them to bring their unique perspectives and sustainability-focused designs to life using generative AI. This is a fantastic opportunity for young designers to shape the future of footwear while gaining hands-on experience in the creative process."
The top 10 teams, selected by a judging panel from Amazon and Brooks Sports, will be scored on innovation, sustainability, design, functionality, and marketing potential. Each member of the winning team will receive a pair of sneakers and an invitation to their local Amazon headquarters.

A growing network of hands-on learning

An AWS Think Big Space classroom at River Oaks Elementary School.
Amazon Think Big Spaces go beyond the standard classroom, giving students hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Located in communities near Amazon data center operations, these spaces are part of broader work to build programs that have a lasting, positive impact and strengthen the communities where the company operates. Beyond the physical spaces, educators and schools can join the Amazon Think Big Circle, which is an online learning community that also runs in-person events with our very own Amazon Think Big van.
Amazon also runs dedicated programs to broaden who can access these opportunities. Amazon Girls' Tech Series is a learning experience that inspires and motivates girls and young women to pursue interests and careers in technology through engaging workshops and career exploration. Thousands of students have participated in Girls' Tech Days and Think Big Experience Days globally.

Community impact by the numbers

River Oaks Elementary students present the ribbon cutting at the renovated Think Big Space for AWS employees, school officials (Dr. Nikisha Gibson, Principal, River Oaks Elementary; Dr. LaTanya D. McDade, Superintendent PWCS, Loree Y. Williams, Woodbridge District, PWCS Board), and local leaders (Virginia Delegate Candi Mundon King, Virginia Senator Jeremy McPike; Chair-At-Large Ann B. Wheeler, Prince William Board of County Supervisors).
Amazon Think Big Spaces are part of a wider Amazon commitment anchored by four pillars: STEM education, skills training, sustainability, and hyperlocal social impact:
  • $2.5 billion commitment to expand access to education and skills training and help prepare at least 50 million people for the future of work
  • $100 million commitment in cloud and AI technology through 2029 to support education equity globally
  • Amazon meets 100% renewable energy goal in 2023

Amazon commits over $70 million in scholarships to students across the US since 2019

Amazon has awarded 200 high school seniors with scholarships of up to $40,000 each, plus a paid internship opportunity at Amazon.

Amazon employees across global data center locations also champion causes they care about, finding unique ways to make a positive difference in their communities. The company works alongside local businesses, nonprofits, and community partners to amplify and scale their efforts.

Looking ahead

AWS Mobile Think Big Space | Navi Mumbai, India
AWS Think Big Space | Dublin, Ireland
AWS Think Big Space | Sydney, Australia

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As AI and other emerging technologies continue to reshape how students learn and create, Amazon plans to keep expanding the reach of Think Big Spaces and the programs built around them.
The goal is to connect even more students in underserved communities with the tools, skills, and mentorship they need to become the next generation of innovators - whether they are designing sneakers from recycled materials, building new applications, or solving challenges that haven't been imagined yet.
Amazon.com Inc. published this content on May 11, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 11, 2026 at 09:18 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]