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.