AT&T Coding & Tech Camp to host 45 Mohawk Valley students for two weeks for free and will address issues of cyberbullying and online safety
UTICA, NY – May 2019 – AT&T, Tech4Kidz, and Mohawk Valley Community College’s (MVCC) thINCubator have partnered to create the region’s first computer coding and tech summer program exclusively for regional high school students, AT&T Coding & Tech Camp, designed to encourage more students to enter the field of technology, specifically coding, an industry that is growing exponentially. The program will provide 45 students from local schools (grades 9-12) across the Mohawk Valley an opportunity to gain coding skills and experiences and engage them to follow a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) educational and career path. The program is from July 8-12 & Jul 15-19, on the MVCC campus, 1101 Sherman Dr, Utica from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. each day. The free two-week program has been made possible by a $25,000 contribution from AT&T.
The high school participants will learn computer coding basics, learn from mentors and professional coders on the many career opportunities available and learn how technology and computer science can be used for good to create solutions to address issues impacting youth in our region, such as cyberbullying and a good digital citizenship. The AT&T Coding & Tech Camp will also connect students with team-based coding projects designed to make a difference in their schools and their community, while providing them hands-on experience developing their own technology. The students will be mentored by local tech professionals, educators and advocates to identify and design coding solutions, learn Python coding computer programing language, create mobile apps, digital storyboards, animated movies, learning games and basic websites, while going on field trips to see technology at work in the community and at colleges. The students will also have a unique opportunity to learn about and build robotics.
To ensure inclusion and diversity, the organizers are committed to having at least 50% of the participants in the program consist of under-represented students and to eliminate economic barriers, the program is free and lunch is provided. Participants will not need a computer to take part, all technologies, including computers, will be provided to each student for the duration of the program. To register, students and their parents must visit https://tech4kidz.net/events/ and click on the link AT&T Coding & Tech Camp. The program is open to high school students from all school districts across the Mohawk Valley region and no previous coding experience is required, but there is an application processes all applicants must fulfill. The deadline to apply is June 17, 2019. All applicants will be notified regarding acceptance on or before June 21, 2019.
Coding is quickly becoming the new literacy and is the driver of all new digital technology. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor, much of the growth in the domestic and global economy will come from STEM-related jobs – a highly lucrative and competitive field. It is estimated by 2020 there will be 2.4 million unfilled STEM jobs with more than half made up of computer and coding careers, underscoring the importance of providing the youth the tools and skills necessary to compete in this innovation economy. These statistics emphasizes the importance of providing youth education programing like the AT&T Coding & Tech Camp.
“AT&T is proud to collaborate with Tech4Kidz and MVCC’s thINCubator and MVCC to develop and support this innovative experience for local students as it further enhances our commitment to providing resources for STEM-related educational programming throughout the Mohawk Valley and across the State,” said Amy Kramer, president, New York, AT&T. “Our economy continues to transform at a robust pace – requiring a workforce with a focus on technological education and literacy – and computer science programs like this one are vital to ensure that the students are equipped to compete in the global innovation economy of tomorrow.”
“With most jobs in the future relying on technology, it is important for students to learn how to code and in doing so, they learn problem solving and critical thinking skills,” said Pam Puri, camp director and founder of Tech4Kidz. “Tech4kidz is excited to offer the AT&T Coding & Tech Camp to high school students and know it will be an engaging two weeks in which they will learn important digital skills, collaborate with peers, and gain confidence in coding. We want to thank AT&T for its active role in promoting STEM in our community and enriching the lives of our youth who are the future makers of technology. We also want to thank our partners Mohawk Valley Community College Foundation and thINCubator for their support and contribution to this camp.”
“We are very excited to partner with AT&T and Tech4Kidz to bring a Coding and Tech Summer Camp to the Mohawk Valley. Our AT&T Youth Hackathon was a major success and we are excited to continue this partnership. Supporting our local youth in coding and STEM education is very important to us as we aim to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem that helps students thINC with an innovative mindset, problem solve, and learn coding skills that contribute to one of the fastest growing sectors in our economy,” said Stacey Smith, Co-Director, MVCC’s thINCubator.
AT&T’s support for this program is part of the company’s legacy of supporting educational programs focused on STEM disciplines in New York through AT&T Aspire, the company’s signature $450 million philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, programing, employee volunteerism and mentoring. Aspire is one of the nation’s largest corporate commitments focused on school success and workforce readiness by creating new learning environments and educational delivery systems to help students succeed and prepare them to take on 21st century careers. “At Mohawk Valley Community College, we are committed to helping students achieve their highest potential by providing top-quality education and training in cutting-edge skills,” said Frank B. DuRoss, executive director, MVCC Foundation. “This program represents an outstanding opportunity for local youth to develop coding and tech skills that can open new doors to education, high-income jobs, and a thriving economic outlook not just for those students, but also for the region as we build the next-generation workforce. The MVCC Foundation is proud to be a partner in this program to increase the skills and develop career awareness and possibilities for our community’s young people.”
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
AT&T is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. The Company’s signature philanthropic initiative, AT&T Aspire, drives innovation in education to promote student success in school and beyond. With a financial commitment of $400 million since 2008, AT&T is leveraging technology, relationships and social innovation to help all students make their biggest dreams a reality.
Media Contact: Benjamin Roberts, AT&T, 716-262-5883, ben.roberts@att.com
