Codecrush
CodeCrush is a series of iSTEM immersion experiences for 8th and 9th female students and their teachers, designed to show them the innovative world of IT.
The program will inspire students and their teachers to take a deeper look at IT through hands-on experiences with emerging IT fields including:
- bioinformatics
- IT innovation
- music technology
- cybersecurity
More information is available on our Codecrush website. Codecrush started in Spring 2014 as a one-time idea with support from a Google Council Bluffs grant and has grown into a series of experiences funded by several external grants and community sponsorships.
iSTEM After School
With this program, we are bringing iSTEM programming to every student in the after-school space in Omaha. The program targeted initially at OPS elementary and middle schools is funded by Collective for Youth and a private foundation, iSTEM is an Out-of-school time program that takes our Techademy classes and integrates them throughout the school year.
We introduce elementary and middle school students to concepts like Innovation or Bioinformatics – programs where they make cool stuff and can practice on their own time. iSTEM programs run the duration of the school year at its participating schools.
iSTEM Virtual Learning Toolbox
Supported by external funding and started during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, we host an iSTEM virtual toolbox that is developed by our faculty and students with learning at home in mind. It is available free for use by all and is categorized by grade level. We continue to add to it even today.
Verizon Mentorship Program
Funded by Verizon in 2019-20 (news release), this program is slowly ramping up. We hire IS&T students to provide formal and informal mentoring to URM students in Omaha and around the rest of Nebraska.
We also have built a mentorship app that is used by our mentors and is available free for schools and districts to use.