Students can register now for Akron hackathon that prepares students for a future in technology
(Akron, Ohio) – They say necessity is the mother of invention and for Jarett Brantley a Junior at Buchtel Community Learning Center in Akron, Ohio, two broken game consoles became his necessity in need of invention. “When I was in seventh grade, I had two 3DS consoles and neither were fully functioning, so I took the working parts out of each to make one fully functioning 3DS.”
Jarett’s curiosity for technology has grown into a passion, so when his mother, Kathy Brantley, told him about the TECHCORPShack in 2019, he was all in. “Most of my technology experience was mechanical,” Jarett explained, “I had no idea how to do coding or develop mobile apps, but the TECH CORPS instructors and mentors made it all easy to understand.”
The 2021 TECHCORPShack will take place on Saturday, November 6 at The University of Akron. Students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate. No prior technology experience is required. In fact, one of the goals of the TECHCORPShack is to provide a safe and supportive environment where students can learn more about technology.
High school students from Summit, Stark, Portage and Medina counties can register for the TECHCORPSHack at bit.ly/21tchack. Technology professionals are needed as volunteers at the hackathon. To learn more, visit bit.ly/21tchvol.
The TECHCORPShack in Akron will be hosted by The University of Akron and is sponsored by AT&T Ohio. This is the fourth year that AT&T has sponsored the TECHCORPShack.
“Our purpose at AT&T is to create connection, and TECHCORPShack does just that,” said Brad McLean, president, AT&T Ohio. “This event connects students with technology in a way that inspires imagination and makes a difference in their lives. We’re proud to have supported this event for years and we’re excited for students from diverse areas of these Ohio counties to enjoy this innovative experience next month.”
“We believe our partnership with TECH CORPS provides area high school students with an opportunity to experience technology education in a unique environment,” shared Lisa Littlejohn, Coordinator, Centers and Institutes, College of Business, The University of Akron. “Bringing students onto our campus helps students visualize post-secondary education as a reality they can attain. This is also an excellent opportunity for students to meet people from other high schools and work on team building.”
Through the TECHCORPShack, students learn how to use a mobile app development tool and receive support and guidance from technology volunteers from the community, explained TECH CORPS National Executive Director Lisa M. Chambers.
“Hackathons can sometimes be intimidating to students who have little or no previous experience with technology,” said Chambers. “One of our goals with the TECHCORPShack is to recruit students who are traditionally under-represented in high school technology classes or programs and to provide them with a safe and supportive space to learn.”
At the 2019 TECHCORPShack, Jarett was a rising freshman and the experience he gained helped better prepare him for technology coursework in high school. “Getting to work with the MIT App Developer prepared me for more complex coding in high school like Python,” he said. “Once you know one computer language, it’s easier to learn others and see how they can help you develop websites, search bars, wallpapers and more.”
Although it was Jarett’s first experience with a hackathon, his team won first place. He hopes other students will step out of their comfort zones to take part in the 2021 TECHCORPShack. “Don’t be afraid to try new things.” Jarett encouraged. “This experience will help you make new friends, meet new people with new experiences different from yours, and you might just end up liking it, I know I did!”
Jarett will be a logistics volunteer at the 2021 hackathon. After high school, he plans to attend Stark State College and then transfer the credits to The University of Akron to pursue a career in software development.
About AT&T Communications
We help family, friends and neighbors connect in meaningful ways every day. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video streaming, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). For more information, please visit us at att.com
About The University of Akron
The University of Akron (UA) offers unique, top-ranked and in-demand associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degree programs in engineering, business, health care, the arts and sciences, education and law. UA’s beautiful campus, located in the heart of Ohio’s fifth-largest city, is surrounded by thousands of businesses, including Fortune 500 companies, giving students access to internships, co-ops and careers. With award-winning residence hall groups and programs, hundreds of student organizations, NCAA Division I sports teams, and a nationally renowned Student Recreation and Wellness Center, UA provides the full campus experience. Learn more at uakron.edu.
About TECH CORPS
For more than 25 years, TECH CORPS has worked to ensure K-12 students have equal access to Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) programs, skills and resources that enhance early learning and prepare them for college, credential or career. TECH CORPS develops CS and IT programs and deploys tech-savvy talent to assist K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations across the country. TECH CORPS is the longest operating education-technology nonprofit organization in the United States. Over the years, partners such as Nordson Corporation, JPMorgan Chase, Google, Battelle and AT&T have provided TECH CORPS with the fuel to deliver much-needed technology resources to K-12 students and teachers. Since 1995, more than 15,000 TECH CORPS volunteers have shared their time and talents assisting schools and nonprofit organizations in their communities. TECH CORPS was founded in 1995 by Gary Beach, Publisher Emeritus of CIO Magazine and author of The U.S. Technology Skills Gap.
Learn more at Learn more at techcorps.org or connect with TECH CORPS on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.
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