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iCode, an after-school and weekend program that offers science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education to students in first through 12th grade, celebrated its one year anniversary on Friday with a graduation ceremony and night of fun to commemorate iCode’s growth over the past year. Twenty students ranging in age from 8 to 14, walked across the “graduation stage” and helped celebrate iCode’s one-year milestone!

“We are thrilled to celebrate iCode’s first birthday and the tremendous growth that has taken place over the past year,” said Dr. Mauricio Vásquez, director of iCode. “We have a team of incredible staff and mentors who work hard every day to bring the excitement of STEAM to students, and we look forward to the continued success of both our organization and stellar students in our program.” 

iCode launched on April 27, 2015 and has since had three graduation ceremonies, hosted a number of Friday “happy hours” with notable speakers like Quotient (formerly Coupons.com) CFO Jennifer Ceran  and most recently hosted its first-ever hackathon with more than 200 participants at AT&T in downtown Dallas. 

At the anniversary celebration, students put their engineering skills to the test with the “Marshmallow Challenge,” that encouraged students to design the highest tower out of marshmallows and toothpicks. Students also wrote out goals they hope to accomplish in the coming year at iCode in addition to what they believe will be the next “up-and-coming” technology of the future. Students placed their completed notecards inside a time capsule safe before walking across the graduation stage. The capsule will remain locked until 2017. 

Similar to martial arts, iCode students’ mastery of each level in the program is represented by the color of their “belt,” or in this case, lanyards. An outstanding group of 20 "future engineers" traded in their white and orange lanyards for yellow and red, respectively. Instead of moving a graduation tassel, the students earned their new colored lanyards, representing the next level in the program. 

iCode students wrapped up the evening with a raffle for free summer camp classes and a very special iCode cake, in honor of the organization’s first birthday. For many of the students, iCode is their first step on their STEAM journey where careers are in high demand, but students historically show little interest.

According to the National Math and Science Initiative, 2014, of the 15 major study categories, engineering has the highest median earnings, yet fewer than 20 percent of students choose a STEM path. When it comes to computer science, the stats are even lower. In fact, computer programming jobs are growing at two-times the national average, but fewer than 2.4 percent of college students graduate with a degree in computer science. iCode seeks to fill that gap.

For more information on iCode and its classes, visit icodeinc.com. And, to see more images and updates from graduation night, check out #iCodeTurns1. 

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More than 200 elementary, middle and high school students across the Metroplex teamed up April 16th for the first ever iCodeHack at AT&T headquarters in Dallas. The hackathon, hosted by iCode4Kids, invited students to solve both STEAM-related and social challenges in a competition for high value awards like iPads, Mac Minis and cash prizes. iCode4Kids is the 501(c)(3) organization connected to iCode, the afterschool and weekend program that offers STEAM education to students in 1st through 12th grade.

“Most people have a negative connotation with the word ‘hackathon’ because they think students are breaking into something, but actually what they are doing is tackling problems in groups,” said iCode director Dr.Mauricio Vasquez. “We are excited to see so many students excited about coding, and hope to get even more on board next year.”  

Students were grouped in sets of two to three to give them a chance to meet kids their age from other cities. After a brief introduction and overview of the challenges, they quickly got started collaborating and setting goals for the day ahead, eager to win but also just to have fun.

“Most people should know how to code at least a little bit,” said iCodeHack participant Lauren Cogbill. “A lot more people are learning to use a computer so they need to know how to code.” 

Throughout iCodeHack, local industry leaders gave keynote presentations to the parents about taking ownership of your education or career, success in business and the importance of diversity in the workforce. Speakers included Abhi Ingle, AT&T’s senior vice president of distribution and channel marketing, Abid Abedi, founder and CEO of iCode, and SMU’s Dr. Tassu Shervani, professor at the Cox School of Business. Their goal was to both encourage and inform parents and students that STEAM-related careers and education are obtainable and can be extremely fun.   

“We’re thankful to have so many parents who understand the value of STEAM and how it will impact their child’s growth and future career opportunities,” said Vasquez. “We believe in 10 years if you do not know how to code, it will almost be a form of illiteracy.”

Judges helped narrow down the projects to just three winners for each age group. The notable judges included Imtiaz Hussain, Cisco Certified Internet Expert, Jordan Pugh, former NFL player for the New Orleans Saints, Harris Razak, vice president at Ericsson and Shadman Zafar, an entrepreneur and distinguished business leader.

“We could not have pulled off this event without the help of our volunteers, judges and especially the sponsors of this year’s event,” said Dr. Vasquez. “We’re so grateful to AT&T for the use of their facility and helping make today a seamless and joyful one that these kids will not forget!” 

Area companies and corporations partnered with iCode4Kids to support the hackathon through in-kind donations, publicity and funding. AT&T offered its facility, volunteers (courtesy of OASIS employee resource group) and parking accommodations. Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented, The University of Texas at Dallas, Fujitsu, Zimperium, PepsiCo Asian Network and Café X also sponsored the event.

iCode4Kids inspires students to change the world and have a prominent future by providing opportunities for computing and STEM education. Through events like iCodeHack, students are introduced and immersed in STEM and have the opportunity to earn scholarships toward iCode classes that will greatly impact their education and future careers in STEM. For more photos and an insider’s look from the first ever iCodeHack, check out #iCodeHack2016 on Twitter or Instagram.

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About iCode4Kids

iCode4Kids is a 501(c)(3) organization connected to iCode that believes the best way to change society and provide a better future for current generations is by raising awareness of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math from an early stage in a fun, enriching and collaborative environment. iCode4Kids inspires children to change the world and have a prominent future by creating opportunities to immerse themselves in computing and STEAM education through conferences, seminars and open forums. Initiatives include providing scholarships to underrepresented and minority children to access and embrace STEAM education. For more information, visit iCode4kids.org, or find us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/iCode4Kids) or Twitter (@iCode4Kids).

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iCode4Kids, an organization that facilitates student achievement by raising awareness of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) from an early age in a fun, enriching and collaborative environment, announces its first hackathon, iCodeHack, on Saturday, April 16. iCode4Kids is teaming up with leading educators, businesses and tech companies including AT&T, Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT), Fujitsu and Zimperium to host the first ever hackathon designed for elementary, middle and high school students at AT&T headquarters in downtown Dallas.

 

iCodeHack registration is now open online at icode4kids.org and aims to bring together 400 students from across the DFW Metroplex. Students will participate in a day of problem solving using computer science and engineering to tackle STEM and social issues, complete with notable judges who are influencers in the tech industry.

 

iCode4Kids is the organization connected to iCode, the afterschool and weekend program that offers STEM education to students in 1st through 12th grade.

 

“We have been dreaming up this hackathon for the past year and are thrilled to finally see it come to fruition,” said iCode founder and CEO Abid Abedi. “We are thankful for our partners who have helped us make it a reality, and we can’t wait to get students involved and excited about the opportunities that STEM provides.”

 

iCodeHack is open to elementary, middle school and high school students who will have the opportunity to choose a technical or social challenge to tackle based on their age and skillset. The students will then have six to 10 hours to solve or complete the challenge. Each entry is then reviewed by a panel of judges. Winners will receive prizes including scholarships and other gifts. Throughout the day, iCodeHack will also feature keynote sessions from iCode’s Abedi, AT&T’s senior vice president of distribution and channel marketing and iCode board member, Abhi Ingle and several more leaders in the community.  

 

“AT&T is honored to host this event. We are passionate about giving students access and exposure at an early age to the skills they need to become future tech leaders,” said Ingle. “It will be a great day and I can’t wait to see the exciting solutions the participants come up with.”

 

Area companies and corporations are partnering with iCode4Kids to support the hackathon through in-kind donations, publicity and funding. AT&T’s support of this initiative is part of the company’s signature philanthropic initiative, AT&T Aspire, which drives innovation in education to ensure that all students have the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.  AT&T is offering its facility, volunteers (courtesy of OASIS employee resource group) and parking accommodations. TAGT, The University of Texas at Dallas, Fujitsu and Zimperium are also sponsoring the event. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available in three levels ranging from bronze to gold that go toward the event and student scholarships.

 

“The creativity, problem solving and critical thinking utilized in computer programming is a great fit for the students we work to serve,” said TAGT Executive Director, JJ Colburn. “iCodeHack is a natural collaboration that synchronizes nicely with our goal to ensure high achieving students reach their unique and limitless potential.”

 

iCode4Kids inspires students to change the world and have a prominent future by providing opportunities for computing and STEM education. Through events like iCodeHack, students are introduced and immersed in STEM and have the opportunity to earn scholarships toward iCode classes that will greatly impact their education and future careers in STEM.

 

The cost to participate in iCodeHack is $20 and students can sign up online. Learn more about registration, sponsorships and additional volunteer opportunities online at iCode4kids.org.

 

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About iCode4Kids

iCode4Kids is anorganization that believes the best way to change society and provide a better future for current generations is by raising awareness of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math from an early stage in a fun, enriching and collaborative environment. iCode4Kids inspires children to change the world and have a prominent future by creating opportunities to immerse themselves in computing and STEAM education through conferences, seminars and open forums. Initiatives include providing scholarships to underrepresented and minority children to access and embrace STEAM education.

 

About iCode

iCode is an after-school and weekend program that offers STEAM education to students in 1st through 12th grade, equipping them with next-generation skills to think critically, solve problems logically and imagine endless possibilities. With its state-of-the-art facility, iCode students have the ability to use the latest technology to code, design and develop their best ideas into viable solutions under the mentorship and guidance of quality teachers and professors. Similar to martial arts, students advance through a seven-color belt system, ranging from beginner (white belt) to advanced III (black belt), learning fundamental skills to tackle or develop any future technology to solve real-world problems. Once a month, iCode offers a monthly speaker series for its students, giving them access to influential executives and entrepreneurs from leading companies around the world paired with games and activities. 

 

About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T

AT&T Inc. 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; or address community needs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T’s signature philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring. Through Aspire, we’ve passed the $250 million mark on our plan to invest $350 million in education from 2008-2017.

 

About Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented

The Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) connects and empowers educators and parents to meet the unique needs of gifted and talented individuals. TAGT believes G/T students come from diverse cultural backgrounds, view the world in unique ways and are developing minds that just might discover innovative answers to the most challenging questions of their generation. TAGT provides more than 3,000 members a forum for exchanging ideas and information regarding gifted education. For more information, please visit txgifted.org.

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iCode's FIRST Graduating Class iCode’s first graduating class proudly shows off their certificates and lanyards at Friday’s graduation ceremony. Fifteen students will move on to more advanced yellow and red belt classes.

iCode, an after-school and weekend STEAM education program, kicked off National Engineering Week on February 19th with their FIRST ever graduation for students in third through seventh grade. Students, parents, grandparents and iCode executives celebrated the evening with a special ceremony and social event that included gaming and robotics games as well as a keynote presentation by Quotient CFO Jennifer Ceran, on what it’s like to work in Silicon Valley. Similar to martial arts, students’ mastery is represented by the color of their “belt,” or in this case, lanyards. Instead of moving a graduation tassel, 15 students earned their new colored lanyards, representing the next level in the program.

 

Careers in STEM are in high demand, but high school students show little interest. According to the National Math and Science Initiative, 2014, of the 15 major study categories, engineering has the highest median earnings, yet fewer than 20 percent of students choose a STEM path. When it comes to computer science, the stats are even lower. In fact, computer programming jobs are growing at two-times the national average, but fewer than 2.4 percent of college students graduate with a degree in computer science.

 

iCode seeks to fill that gap and its first graduation ceremony celebrates the efforts of iCode’s young students as they have earned their way to the next steps in their journey in STEAM.

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iCode students get hands-on experience during lab.

DALLAS - February 11, 2016 – iCode, an after-school and weekend program that offers STEAM education to students in first through twelfth grade, today announced it will offer 200 tuition scholarships up to $1,200 per student. Awarded scholarships will apply toward an eight-month commitment in any of the program levels. Students will also receive a $100 CD upon successful completion of all requirements within their program and registration for the next level.

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in an elementary, middle school or high school program, complete an online application and create a PowerPoint or Prezzi presentation no longer than 10 slides illustrating the importance of STEAM. Previous scholarship recipients are not eligible to reapply.

Scholarship amounts will be based on grade and level of engagement, and will range from $250 to $1,200. For a basic scholarship, applicants must demonstrate an understanding of STEAM disciplines according to their grade and provide a general presentation that may be supported by a teacher or school professional. Intermediate scholarships are awarded based on general understanding of STEAM disciplines and how they complement each other, as well as a good presentation that is developed independently. Master scholarship recipients must be able to demonstrate solid knowledge and understanding of several STEAM disciplines, and provide concrete examples of previous engagements with STEAM. 

Scholarship applications are judged by a panel of iCode instructors and business professionals according to their content, originality, creativity and effort. The deadline for submission is March 31, 2016. To find out more about the iCode scholarships and how to apply, visit http://icode4kids.org/Scholarship.html.

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About iCode

iCode is an after-school and weekend program that offers STEAM education to students in 1st through 12th grade, equipping them with next-generation skills to think critically, solve problems logically and imagine endless possibilities. With its state-of-the-art facility, iCode students have the ability to use the latest technology to code, design and develop their best ideas into viable solutions under the mentorship and guidance of quality teachers and professors. Similar to martial arts, students advance through a seven-color belt system, ranging from beginner (white belt) to advanced III (black belt), learning fundamental skills to tackle or develop any future technology to solve real-world problems. Once a month, iCode offers a monthly speaker series for its students, giving them access to influential executives and entrepreneurs from leading companies around the world paired with games and activities. 

 

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By Eric Krekeler, Lab Mentor, iCode

Growing up I took a natural interest in computers and technology, and I was always tinkering and trying to teach myself the basics of computer science. I was enamored by new discoveries and motivated to learn more when I realized I had a natural talent for the subject and could master things my friends could not quite grasp. I attended a small private high school, and while there were plenty of programs and extracurricular activities, one of the things I noticed was the lack of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) support. STEM skills are becoming increasingly important to businesses all over the globe so it is vital that schools and after-school programs equip today’s younger generation with these skills. Mentors are the key to filling this education gap in schools for those students like me who didn’t have direct access to STEM programs.

I was introduced to my current mentor, Keith Morris, when he volunteered to improve the network and Wi-Fi at my high school. He was the father of two students there and had a strong background in tech. As a result, I was able to grow and start achieving new goals, learning more about STEM. He saw my potential and started teaching me everything he knew – most kids don’t get that same chance.

According to the National Math and Science Initiative, 2014, of the 15 major study categories, engineering has the highest median earnings, yet fewer than 20 percent of students choose a STEM path. I wanted to change this statistic.

In 2015 I learned about the opportunity to serve as a “Lab Mentor” at iCode. I knew what Keith had done for me and I enjoy teaching others, sharing my same passion for STEM, so I applied. The description seemed simple enough, but I didn’t realize how much satisfaction would come from investing in others and serving as a lab mentor.

When I first met one of my students, he demonstrated his interest and talent in computer science. I sought to help develop his knowledge and pique his curiosity with new ideas. One day he decided he wanted to learn how to “hack for good,” and attempted to hack into my computer. I gave him a smile and told him to go ahead and try. Though he wasn’t successful that day, I was able to encourage his desire to learn more about a career in STEM and we still joke about the experience. He’s now even more motivated to learn about computer science and start applying his skills to everyday situations. He has even introduced me to some technological advancements, and we brainstorm ways to use knowledge to change the world.

In 2015, Forbes named Dallas as one of America’s top five cities poised to be the next Silicon Valley tech hub. If Dallas hopes to stay at the forefront of the STEM talent pool, it’s going to require mentors who are willing to step up and start investing in our youth. With January as National Mentoring Month and National Engineer’s Week just around the corner, let’s put a spotlight on STEM mentorship and start passing the torch!

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iCode Hour of Code Misti Clark, curriculum manager at iCode, teaches area students about computer science during first annual iCode Hour of Code event

Students from across Collin County were able to “use the force” at iCode’s first annual Hour of Code event on Friday, December 11 during Computer Science Education Week. iCode hosted Star War’s themed coding activities at its state-of-the-art facility in Frisco that included introductions to Python, JavaScript and gaming. Activities incorporated the beloved characters Obi-wan Kenobi, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker to get students engaged and excited about the upcoming movie premier.

Hour of Code, a global grassroots campaign, aims to get students to try a coding activity for one hour during the week of December 7-13.  Groups like iCode hope participation will help demystify code and show that anyone can learn the basics of computer science, a growing industry with fewer than 2.4 percent of college graduate degrees. 

About iCode

iCode is an after school and weekend program that offers holistic STEAM education to students in 1st through 12th grade, equipping them with skills to think critically, solve problems logically and imagine endless possibilities. With its state-of-the-art facility, iCode students have the ability to use the latest technology to design and develop their best ideas into viable solutions under the mentorship and guidance of quality teachers and professors. Once a month, iCode offers a monthly speaker series hosted by leading executives and entrepreneurs from technology companies around the world paired with an evening of fun games and activities. Similar to tae-kwon-doe, students advance through a five-color belt system, ranging from beginner (white belt) to advanced III (black belt).  For more information about iCode, visit icodeinc.com.