Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands provides foundational technology opportunities for youth and teens, including Digital Arts, SkillTech, LEGO robotics and clay animation. The next phase of STEM programming includes networking. 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.
Many of our Club youth live in poverty. All students, especially disadvantaged 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 opportunities to actively engage in STEM and rediscover a reason to graduate from high school.
Students will enroll in Cisco networking academy for hands-on STEM instruction and skill development. The Cisco(R) IT Essentials curriculum helps students prepare for entry-level ICT career opportunities and the CompTIA A+ certification, which helps students differentiate themselves in the marketplace to advance their careers. Course provides a learning pathway to the Cisco CCNA(R) Discovery and CCNA Exploration curricula. A personal set of tools prepares students for the workforce.
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.
