Support Will Launch AI Navigator Fellowship and Educator Learning Cohort, Empowering Students and Teachers to Lead Responsible AI Innovation
Pi515, a nonprofit challenging, inspiring, and teaching technology skills to underserved youth, is set to receive a $50,000 contribution from Google to expand its youth-powered AI education initiatives. The funding will support two innovative programs: the AI Navigator Fellowship and the Educator Learning Cohort, positioning students and teachers as leaders in responsible AI integration.This youth-led, teacher-supported AI education model addresses a core challenge: educators are unfairly expected to master a rapidly evolving technology landscape. Our approach addresses teacher overwhelm while building student agency by positioning youth as innovators and co-creators of learning.
“Google is proud to call Iowa home, and we are committed to helping Iowa students have the tools they need to succeed in the jobs tomorrow,” said Allyson Eastman, Google Community and Workforce Senior Manager. “These innovative initiatives will equip teachers and students with resources to learn how to leverage technology for career mobility and economic opportunity.”
At Pi515, we believe that students are not just the future, they are the present. Youth have a capacity and curiosity for AI that surpasses most adults. Where many see uncertainty, students see opportunity: to learn more, do more, and create more. We believe that by investing in youth as innovators, curriculum designers, and educators we can harness the power of technology for good, driving economic mobility and social change.
“Iowa’s future is bright when we connect talent, vision, and the right partnerships,” says Nancy Mwirotsi, Founder and Executive Director of Pi515. “This is what drives us here at Pi515. This is about trust, safety, and how we raise the next generation to navigate the AI-driven future.”
The AI Navigator Fellowship will train 50–100 student leaders to become peer mentors and facilitators, promoting responsible AI use in their schools and communities. Building on Pi515's proven “train the trainer” model, these student navigators will lead workshops, facilitate discussions, and help their peers understand AI’s potential, limits, and ethical considerations. The fellowship embeds adaptability into its design, ensuring the program can evolve with emerging technologies and student needs.
The Educator Learning Cohort will provide student-led professional development for teachers, equipping them with practical tools and frameworks to integrate AI responsibly into their classrooms. Recognizing that many educators are still catching up to the ways AI is reshaping learning, this cohort creates a supportive space for teachers to build confidence, share strategies, and model healthy AI use for their students.
Google’s support arrives at a critical moment. Iowa youth are engaging with AI every day, but without the awareness, agency, or governance structures to do so ethically and responsibly. Pi515's programs prioritize youth voice, ethical design, and community-led solutions, ensuring AI becomes a tool for equity and innovation rather than a source of anxiety or exclusion. This latest investment from Google will allow Pi515 to deepen this work and expand to new schools and communities across Iowa and beyond.
For more information about Pi515, the AI Navigator Fellowship and Educator Learning Cohort, or to learn how your organization can support youth-powered AI education, visit www.pi515.org or contact tech@pi515.org.
About Pi515
Pi515 challenges, inspires, and teaches technology skills to students with potential— empowering underserved and refugee youth to achieve success, garner influence, and gain stability in their families and communities. Through student-centered and student-led initiatives, Pi515 builds foundational technological and AI literacy, fostering a generation of innovators with the skills and opportunities to build a more sustainable and equitable future.
