“As a proud graduate of inner-city public schools in Atlanta, Georgia, I’ve seen firsthand how educational disparities in childhood can have a generational impact on the job and career advancement opportunities available to young people.”

When Noah Eden was first exposed to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs at a young age, he didn’t know that STEM would become a vital component of his future. While Noah’s introduction to STEM happened early on, the path that followed was not as linear.

Noah began his education at a well-funded Montessori school, where both the school environment and the families strongly supported children’s learning. When he transitioned to the public school system in Atlanta, Georgia, in sixth grade, he noticed that the environment was vastly different than the school he previously attended: Not all children were as encouraged to excel academically, and some didn’t have the unwavering support of the school or their families. He credits this experience as shaping his career path and driving a passion for creating a more level playing field when it comes to academic excellence.

During his time in public school, Noah participated in various magnet programs—smaller, focused placements aimed at a select group—and advanced placement classes. While he was more focused on communications and journalism, in high school he was selected to participate in Georgia’s Governor’s Honors Program as a math major. This program was a formative experience from both an educational and social perspective, exposing Noah to an array of new STEM concepts and different communities of peers.

“While I had been primarily focused on other subjects, such as journalism and communications, this program was a bit of a turning point for me. It helped me see beyond my interests and realize that my entire educational experience—math and physics included—would likely play a role in my future career development and ambitions. That’s why initiatives like the Honors Program are so important. They expose children who may have never had interest or experience in STEM to new career possibilities, and maybe even new passions.”

And that has come full circle. Today, Noah serves as the global lead for the Public Sector Innovation Programs at AWS, and in 2022, after joining the AWS Cloud Innovation Centers team, he became involved with Deloitte’s Believers program. In his role, Noah is responsible for building and maintaining public-private partnerships with educational institutions globally.

“At AWS, we believe access to education unlocks opportunity, and we aim to empower learners from all backgrounds to innovate, create, and thrive in a digital world. The Believers program is one way to fulfill that vision. The Believers program and The Smart Factory @ Wichita are both unique collaborations, and I’m motivated to stay involved with the program because I believe it’s a flagship example of connecting across industries to advance STEM education.”

For Noah, the Believers program is important because it provides youth—particularly those in under-resourced communities—with learn-by-doing opportunities as a thoughtful and practical way to promote STEM education, advance career opportunities, and support economic mobility. An example of these hands-on opportunities is with the Believers program’s Smart Rovers, the robotic toy included in the program’s educational kit, which is provided by Deloitte, AWS, and other ecosystem collaborators.

“The first time I encountered a Smart Rover was just before the AWS DC Summit in 2022. After assembling and interacting with the rover for just a few moments, I became immersed in my own robotics learning adventure. It was then that I realized what a powerful learning tool it could be when put in the hands of students and incorporated into an educational curriculum.”

The Cloud Innovation Centers program also exposes Noah to the work of students who are participating in skills-based educational opportunities. Mostly in paid internships, these students gain skills in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, and are applying them to real-world problems from customers across the public and private sectors. By putting them in front of customers and on stage at industry events, AWS provides students with valuable experience that pushes them outside of their comfort zone. This also helps them build compelling résumés, prepares them for rigorous interviews, and positions them for successful STEM careers. The students regularly share that these experiences played a critical role in preparing them to land full-time employment.

Noah believes that to positively contribute to the manufacturing workforce of today, students and current workers will have to continue to innovate, develop, and upskill into the workforce positions of tomorrow.

“Globally, manufacturing organizations are facing an aging workforce, and as they engage in workforce planning efforts, they are actively seeking to develop the technology acumen of incoming employees. I BELIEVE programs like Believers are truly supporting STEM education and deepening practical skills of the next generation of talent—and doing so in a way that advances opportunity for all.”