Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands provides foundational technology opportunities for youth and teens. Learning networking provides the perfect opportunity for members to build on acquired skills while preparing for post-secondary education, a STEM career, a living wage job, and entrepreneurship. IT Essentials is a hands-on, career-oriented e-learning solution with an emphasis on practical experience to help students develop fundamental computer skills, along with essential career skills.
Youth need access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities to spark their interest in STEM careers and to be better prepared for them. Networking connects us to the Internet and each other. Teens in underserved communities consume technology wirelessly through their phones and mobile devices. Youth need entry level applied STEM opportunities. Certification is expensive but coupled with workforce readiness skills provides an real opportunity for living wage jobs and entrepreneurship.
Students will complete the academy curriculum. Students scoring well on assessments and those with a desire to continue on the networking pathway will be encouraged to sit for the certification exam. Certification validates lessons learned and provides opportunity for greater earnings as an employee and as a business owner. In this course, students develop critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills; explore networking and security concepts. Interactive assessments provide feedback.
Teens develop entrepreneurial skills and get an opportunity to engage in an incubator environment. Students will become more engaged in school, develop a career pathway, graduate from high school then enroll in some level of post-secondary education that will lead to employment and/or business development. 200 teens will participate. Awards will be given to top three teams determined by a panel of judges comprised of business and community leaders, enterpreneurs and investors.
