Anacostia is well known in D.C. as the area to avoid upon visiting, but over the years Anacostia has slowly but surely climbed up in the ranks, attempting to reinvigorate its name. Now with the help of associations like DiversiTech, Cause-Driven, ARCH Development, Lumen8 and Lenovo, Anacostia youth have the opportunity to explore the depths of D.C. Tech like never before. With the summer TechXploration Youth Appathon, high school students from the area will have the chance to work alongside highly respected entrepreneurs and tech innovators for two days, building products while enhancing their knowledge of technology.
A new approach to tech education, the TechXploration Appathon will take place from Saturday, July 14 to Sunday July 15 in Anacostia. This first day will focus on building sustainable relationships between high school students and the extraordinary big wigs in D.C. Tech while delving into details about mobile apps. They will work together to create their very own apps, fulfilling one of the community's unmet needs in the process. With the help of Appcelerator® and instruction from Clearly Innovative, one of TechExploration's partners, the day will enlighten youth about the opportunities accessible to them.
Sunday will be designated as Demo Day, a time for students to display their creations and share their insight through pitch presentations with their friends, family, and community. Introductions to other tech programs at the event will grant them the opportunity to substantiate connections and will hopefully allow them to pursue jobs in the field of technology in the future.
Though only lasting the duration of a weekend, this affair has the potential to alter lives for the better, mentoring children, leading them on a path they normally are not given much access to. Giving youth the resources to communicate with techies could lead to potential funding and startup success. A great move for D.C. Tech and high schoolers alike.
If you know a student you think would benefit from this weekend of exploration, make sure they apply by July 7. For more information, contact info@iamdtech.com or call 202-670-2152.
[Image via ehow]
