Technology Access Program

Afterschool programs across the United States are expanding their STEM offerings, with more students taking part in science, technology, engineering and math activities outside regular school hours. The report highlights growing interest among educators and families in hands-on learning that prepares children for future careers. Supporters say afterschool settings help make STEM accessible to students who may lack such opportunities during the school day.

Pomona College's Technology Access Program is being highlighted for helping close the digital divide, expanding access to technology for underserved communities. The initiative provides devices and connectivity support to people who would otherwise lack reliable access, and the college is drawing attention to its impact as demand for digital inclusion efforts grows.

Tony Loughman and Southern Oak Insurance have donated performance technology to the Jacksonville University soccer program. The gift, announced by the university's athletics department, will give JU soccer players access to modern performance-analysis equipment. It is a small but notable example of local businesses supporting college athletics through targeted equipment donations rather than general funding.

The ISS National Lab has announced its latest startup cohort, with selected companies focused on semiconductors, biomanufacturing and dual-use technologies. The program gives emerging firms access to the International Space Station's microgravity environment for research and product development, reflecting growing commercial interest in space-based manufacturing and national-security-adjacent innovation.

A startup from Georgia Tech's Advanced Technology Development Center is deploying community-centered energy infrastructure in downtown Los Angeles. The project aims to give local residents a stake in how energy is generated and managed in their neighborhood, rather than relying solely on large utilities. The announcement was published by Georgia Tech, highlighting the company's origins in the university's startup accelerator program.

Stony Brook University is extending its artificial intelligence expertise to small businesses across Long Island through the LIA-AI Growth Academy. The program aims to help local companies understand and adopt AI tools to improve operations and competitiveness. The initiative reflects a broader push by universities to make AI training accessible to smaller firms that lack in-house technical resources.

Colorado State University's STEM 4 Kids club is giving young students a hands-on space to explore science, technology, engineering and math, according to The Rocky Mountain Collegian. The student-run club aims to make science education engaging and accessible for local youth through interactive activities. Beyond the headline, no further details about the club's programs or reach are available.

Applications are now open for North Carolina's Rural Health Technology Fund, a state-backed program aimed at bringing better health technology to rural communities. Providers and organizations in underserved areas can apply for funding to improve access to care. The announcement is drawing attention in regional news as rural health care access remains a pressing issue in the state.

The Georgia Institute of Technology has welcomed 118 first-year students through its Tech Promise program, the largest cohort in the program's history. Tech Promise covers full costs of attendance for qualifying Georgia families. The record enrollment signals the university's growing commitment to affordability and expanded access for students from lower-income households.

Delaware will distribute $5 million in grants through a new rural health technology accelerator, aimed at boosting health innovation in the state's rural communities. The program, reported by Delaware Business Times, is expected to fund technology projects that improve healthcare access and services outside the state's urban centers.

The University of Georgia is expanding its artificial intelligence resources for students, faculty and staff across campus. The announcement, reported by UGA Today, signals the institution's push to broaden access to AI tools, training and support as adoption of the technology grows in higher education. Details of specific programs were not included.