Learning
Training future leaders
Public Interest Technology (PIT) learning is about training future leaders to tackle the next century’s socio-technical challenges while advancing public values like sustainability, justice, human health, and the well-being of the planet and all of the creatures that live on it. PIT Learning explores new ways of transmitting knowledge to diverse audiences according to their needs and priorities. It also develops the hard and soft skills needed to bring about positive change, creating solutions that will promote the public good, rather than (or in addition to) the private interest. PIT Learning programs may be formal or informal, facilitating ends-oriented academic pathways and empowering tinkerers to create a rich PIT ecosystem of curricular and co-curricular programs. Key to such programs is promoting interdisciplinarity across STEM, the social sciences, the arts, humanities, and the professions. We divide learning into three components: academics, engagement and career.
Academics
Building curricula and structured programs in the form of courses, certificates, minors, or degrees. These programs should be interdisciplinary in orientation;
Engagement
Creating and facilitating learning environments that engage diverse people inside and outside the institution and collaborating with government entities, non-profits, and businesses for social impact; and
Career
Providing opportunities for students to be exposed to careers in PIT through experiential learning opportunities (e.g., clinics, fellowships, apprenticeships, and internships) and enabling students to see opportunities in and the growing demand for PIT (e.g., career fairs, mentorship programs, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, etc.).