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Hey there!

Fall is an exciting time at TECH CORPS, and we can’t wait to share our upcoming events and recent achievements with you in the October edition of TECHCORPSbytes. Don’t miss it!

Now Accepting TECHCORPShack

Student Applications

TECH CORPS is currently accepting student applications for the 2023 hackathon. This12-hour coding event offers students an opportunity to gain hands-on computer science experience in an exciting and engaging environment. Participants will be able to create real-world apps to solve problems while receiving invaluable mentorship and guidance from local tech experts.

The TECHCORPShack is an opportunity not to be missed, and the winning teams will share a grand prize of $1,000. This opportunity is open to students in Akron, Columbus, Dayton, and Elyria, Ohio. Click the button below to learn more and feel free to share this opportunity!

Are you interested in volunteering for an exciting event? If so, we’d love to have you at the 2023 TECHCORPShack on Saturday, November 11th! We have locations in Akron, Columbus, Dayton, and Elyria, Ohio. As a volunteer, you can choose to mentor a team of high school students with their mobile app, assist with event logistics or judge the competition.

Our 2023 hackathon is sponsored by the Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services, Nordson Corporation Foundation, AT&T, SciTech, and fueled by WillowTree Apps. Our community sponsor is OhioX, and Swift powers the equipment.

Your support will be invaluable in inspiring the next generation of tech inovators. Join us and make a difference!

Hispanic Heritage Month

Did you know that while Hispanics make up approximately 17% of the US workforce, they represent just 7% of the tech workforce? However, there’s a positive shift happening. In 2022, 15% of TECH CORPS students identified as Hispanic, up from only 7% five years ago. We take pride in our deliberate and intentional efforts to enhance access and exposure to high-quality technology education programs in the Hispanic communities we serve.

One of the strategies we employ is the creation of Spanish-language videos for our programs. This allows us to offer accessible resources to students and families who may not have previously considered computer science as an option.

At TECH CORPS, we firmly believe that ALL K-12 students should be able to access high-quality computer science learning experiences. We are dedicated to broadening exposure to computer science, especially among students traditionally underrepresented in the tech field, and creating inclusive spaces where every student feels safe, acknowledged, and supported.

TECH CORPS Unplugged

Professional Development

The TECH CORPS Unplugged professional development session proved to be a valuable experience for 30 out-of-school-time providers in Ohio. Participants gained access to a wide range of strategies and resources to help them implement technology-related activities with their students, without the need for any devices. Alongside this enriching professional development, each participant received 20 TECH CORPS Unplugged Kits to share with their students.

Ohio Tech Day

On September 29th, TECH CORPS celebrated Ohio Tech Day at Longfellow Middle School in Lorain, Ohio. The event brought together middle school students, who disconnected from their devices to learn about technology in a unique way.

What made it even more special was the involvement of two of our TECH CORPS alumni from Lorain. Lumarys and Janai served as junior instructors and taught the younger students how to use the activities in the Unplugged kits. It was inspiring to see Lumarys and Janai share their knowledge and passion for technology with the students. One hundred TECH CORPS Unplugged Kits were distributed at Longfellow thanks to support from the FirstEnergy Foundation.

High School Pitch Competition

As part of the FutureLAND Conference in Cleveland on October 5th and 6th, TECH CORPS developed a Pitch Competition for High School students with support from the Teaching & Learning Collaborative. Over 150 high school students from eight Greater Cleveland schools participated in the first-ever High School Pitch Competition hosted at Cleveland State University. The competition aligned with the spirit and mission of FutureLAND. Students also had the opportunity to meet and interact with local entrepreneurs and tech innovators throughout the day. “We have received great feedback from the teachers, students and volunteers who participated in the event,” said Lisa M.Chambers, TECH CORPS National Executive Director. “We look forward to partnering with FutureLAND next year.”

Thanks for being a part of our community and for supporting our mission to empower students with technology. We couldn’t do it without you!