The current landscape of our familiar world has been turned upside down, and businesses have been forced to adapt in numerous ways. As an organization, TechPoint Foundation for Youth has shifted to online programming to abide by the stay at home order while entertaining the coding-crazed masses.
Online coderdojos
Throughout this time of e-learning, we have been hosting weekly Virtual CoderDojos to help teachers and parents engage students at home through coding activities. Each week isfocused on a different topic and is led by a different CoderDojo Champion. Most recently, we hosted our own MoonHack event. This event brought together students from all around the world to code together.
Exercises included coding planet-saving solutions to water usage, bush regeneration, sustainability at home and more. Events like this, led by coding experts, allow students to engage with online educational resources whether they are new to coding our old pros. Find more info about upcoming online events here.
Ask a scientist
A recent feature on our social media involved a live chat between our Volunteer and Events Coordinator, Andy, and a scientist at HNTB, an Indianapolis engineering firm. This 30-minute conversation allowed our social followers to ask the questions THEY wanted answered by a real-life engineer. Facilitated by a TPF4Y staff member, this conversation provided interesting insights into the life of a scientist.
design it make it (at hOme) challenge
This one is for the parents and teachers! Looking for ways to entertain and occupy the active brains of the young creative kids in your life? How about an engineering challenge! We encourage parents and their children to create a solution to growing and distributing food in a sustainable manner. For more information on that, click here. Also, if you follow us on social media, we’ve been releasing weekly challenges involving designing creations from cardboard and inventing your own board game. Unleash your boldest and best ideas for a chance to win a prize. Each week is a new challenge, so keep an eye out for what’s next on our Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
our ask
This time period, while challenging, has produced some positives. We can be grateful for the problem solvers; those who see a challenge and rise to it. We at TechPoint Foundation for Youth will continue to design and promote programming that will cultivate interest and curiosity, giving young children opportunities to become the problem-solvers the world needs. Achieving this goal requires time,effort and engagement. It also requires financial support.
During this shift from in-person to virtual programming, you may have noticed a spike in our online presence, especially on social media. We have been sharing staff, board, and student submissions of STEM activities these individuals are engaging in during the pandemic. We showcase these submissions to highlight the impact of our mission. TPF4Y strives to offer content that ignites a spark in our audience, hopefully leading to a lifetime of curiosity and problem-solving. Interested in supporting our mission? It’s simple! Our end of the year fundraising campaign is happening now, until the end of our fiscal year, June 30th. Our goal is to raise $27,500 by June 30, which will be matched dollar for dollar (UP TO $27,500) by our friends from Kaleidoscope Youth Center. Just click the link to make your contribution and support TPF4Y and the future of problem-solvers. Every dollar counts!