EdgeConneX and Hello World Launch Statewide Initiative to Expand Computer Science and AI Education for Ohio Students

Multi-year investment launches two initiatives already reaching 10,000 Ohio students, expanding a program on track to serve more than 100,000 students across multiple states by early 2027

COLUMBUS, Ohio - October 20, 2026 - EdgeConneX®, a pioneer in global Build-to-Suit and Build-to-Density digital infrastructure solutions, today announced a multi-year investment supporting two complementary Hello World initiatives to expand computer science and AI literacy for Ohio students. Recently launched, the initiatives have already reached approximately 10,000 students across 11 school districts. The investment comes as Ohio expands access to computer science through the state-established Computer Science Promise Program for students in grades 7-12.

At the statewide level, EdgeConneX has partnered with Hello World to launch the SPARK Fellowship, a fully funded, three-year initiative building educator capacity in computer science and AI. The founding cohort includes educators from across the state, from the Cincinnati area to northwest, central, and eastern Ohio, serving students from elementary through high school. SPARK educators receive curriculum, year-round professional development, and ongoing implementation support. Hello World plans to grow the statewide community of educators over time.

In Northeast Ohio, EdgeConneX supports Hello World's partnership with Cleveland State University's K-12 & Workforce Pathways team. Working with Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Euclid City School District, and Partnership Schools, the initiative integrates computer science, computing, and AI literacy into core science instruction, with computer science and science teachers partnering to make emerging technologies tangible and connect classroom learning to future careers.

The Ohio commitment expands the EdgeConneX Education Program across Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas, with the program on track to reach more than 100,000 students by early 2027. EdgeConneX and Hello World will continue working with state, university, and district partners to expand both initiatives, with the goal of making computer science and AI education accessible to students regardless of where they live or the resources available to them.

"Ohio's students deserve every opportunity to lead in the technologies that will help define their futures. This is a long-term commitment, not a one-time gift. By investing in Ohio's educators statewide and in innovative models like the Cleveland partnership, we are investing in the teachers, students, and communities who will power the next generation of digital infrastructure innovation." - Phillip Marangella, Chief Marketing and Product Officer, EdgeConneX

"Cleveland teachers have never had one platform for all grades K-12, with ELL and IEP supports, that allows students to access Computer Science, Data Science, and AI grade-level-appropriate modules. Plus, we are providing middle school science teachers access. This integration of computer science paired with applications of science is preparing Cleveland students for High Growth & High Demand Careers using VR worlds of healthcare facilities and CAD simulations just to name a few. Students can build, design, code, and run simulations. Over 43 teachers and 6,000 students across multiple districts and schools are impacted this year with plans to expand during the next academic year. This support from EdgeConneX and Hello World is a game changer for Cleveland students!"- Chelsey Kohn, Executive Director of K-12 & Workforce Pathways, Cleveland State University

"At Orchard STEM School, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Our collaboration with Hello World and Cleveland State University allows us to seamlessly connect computer science, artificial intelligence, and scientific inquiry, empowering students to ask questions, solve problems, and design solutions that have real-world relevance. This partnership is helping us cultivate the next generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders." - Dr. Andrea Moss, Principal, Orchard STEM School, Cleveland Metropolitan School District

"Preparing every Ohio student for a tech-driven world is one of our most important responsibilities, and what makes this effort stand out is its reach. It builds educator capacity in every corner of the state, not just in districts with the most resources. My students light up when a lesson involves technology, because it's the world they already live in. Now they're not just using technology, they're imagining themselves building it." - Dr. LaTonya McKenzie, Computer Science teacher Ridgeview Middle School

"Every student deserves the opportunity to understand and shape the technologies that are changing our world. What makes this partnership so meaningful is that we're investing in educators and finding new ways to bring computer science and AI learning to students who may not otherwise have access to it. I'm incredibly grateful to EdgeConneX and our partners across Ohio for believing in what's possible for these students." - Sabina Bharwani, Founder & CEO, Hello World

###

About EdgeConneX

Backed by EQT Infrastructure, part of the global investment organization EQT, EdgeConneX provides a full range of sustainable digital infrastructure solutions worldwide. We work closely with our customers to offer choices in location, scale, and type of facility, from Build-to-Suit to Build-to-Density. EdgeConneX is a global leader in anytime, anywhere, and any scale digital infrastructure services for a diverse portfolio of industries, including Cloud, AI, Content, and Networks. Driven by a mission to take care of its customers, its people, and its planet, EdgeConneX is here to Empower Your Edge.

For media enquiries, contact [email protected]

About Hello World

Hello World is a K-12 computer science and AI literacy education organization expanding access to high-quality technology learning for students nationwide. Through partnerships with school districts and corporate partners, Hello World provides project-based curriculum, professional development, and implementation support that equips educators to bring computer science, AI, and emerging technologies into classrooms at scale. Learn more at www.helloworldcs.org.