MONTGOMERY – Mayor Steven L. Reed and Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ann Roy Moore today announced the launch of a new education technology initiative called MGM Codes.
“Today is a transformative moment for Montgomery Public Schools,” Mayor Reed said. “MGM Codes will be a catalyst that expands opportunity for Montgomery’s middle school students through the introduction of advanced technology, enhanced teaching methods and STEAM-based learning modules. This progress was made possible through our partnership with private sector innovators like Ed Farm and Apple.”
"As we prepare for our summer learning program and the upcoming academic year, we're honored to have this partnership in place to help expose our students to coding and engaging STEM activities. Putting this technology in our students' hands is not only going to inspire them but will prepare them for the future. This is truly an exciting time for MPS," said Dr. Ann Roy Moore, Superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools.
MGM Codes will bring the latest technology to students and teachers. It was created by the City and MPS in collaboration with Ed Farm, a nonprofit committed to transforming classrooms and uplifting communities, and Apple, which has a long history supporting educational programs in Alabama and across the country. The partners seek to advance innovation, creativity and outcomes for Montgomery middle school students by increasing access to high-tech tools and teaching assets. The initiative also includes comprehensive professional learning opportunities for Montgomery’s teachers to give them the tools to successfully integrate the new technology into their classrooms.
MGM Codes will introduce Montgomery’s students to coding and creativity using iPad and Apple’s Everyone Can Code and Everyone Can Create curricula. Ed Farm will assist in offering programs that target teacher fellows, student fellows, classrooms of tomorrow and code clubs.
“At Ed Farm, we strive to create an inventive world where all people have access to the tools they need to fill or create the jobs of the future,” Ed Farm CEO Waymond Jackson said. “Last year, with the support of Alabama Power and Apple, we began creating that world in Birmingham. Our partnership with the City of Montgomery and Montgomery Public Schools allows us to expand upon that vision and positions us to serve more communities across the state of Alabama.”
“At Apple, we believe education is the great equalizer, and we’re proud to support efforts across the state of Alabama to bring coding and creativity opportunities to students and learners of all ages,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations & Education. "We are thrilled the City of Montgomery and Montgomery Public Schools are teaming up with Ed Farm, a long-time Apple partner, to increase access to technology opportunities for middle school students across the city. We can’t wait to see the incredible ways Montgomery’s students learn, create, and engage through this new ‘MGM Codes’ initiative.”
About Ed Farm
On a mission to create the epicenter of the radical rethinking and innovation of education, Ed Farm is a tech and education startup nonprofit headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. In January, Ed Farm announced the Propel Center a virtual and physical campus for all 101 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Ed Farm offers cutting-edge virtual and face-to-face professional learning, personalized innovation coaching cycles, immersive learning experiences, transferable knowledge, strategies, and skills for students and teachers transformational use of technology.
To learn more about MGM Codes, please visit https://mgmcodes.com.
###
Griffith Waller
Communications Director
City of Montgomery
(334) 625-2726 (office)
(334) 235-0871 (cell)
gwaller@montgomeryal.gov
