• CoderDojoDSM meetups for youth
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MISSION

To inspire youth to increase their knowledge and interest in technology by providing engaging learning opportunities led by technology professionals

  • We provide the tools

    Tech Journey fosters access to tech professionals who serve as mentors and instructors as well as providing students hardware and software

  • We open doors

    Tech Journey’s target student demographic focuses on youth who otherwise may not have the opportunity to access technology

  • We commit to a journey

    Tech Journey focuses on long-term relationships and mentoring from elementary through high school to maximize impact

  • Students are inspired

    Students are inspired to explore and engage in technology through experiential learning and other opportunities such as employment

  • Students succeed

    Students are encouraged to pursue higher education and careers in technology, helping fill the national STEM talent gap

  • Students give back

    Students are encouraged to use their technical skills to give back to the community and for social good

IOWA NEEDS TECHNOLOGY TALENT

Growth for Iowa jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) from 2020 to 2030 is projected at 12.3% (Iowa Workforce Development). Yet the number of Iowa students enrolled in technology courses has decreased by 27% for the period 2012-13 to 2022-23 and only 26% of the students are female (Iowa Department of Education).

12.3%

Projected growth in Iowa STEM jobs

-27%

Recent change in Iowa students enrolled in tech courses

26%

Iowa female students enrolled in tech courses

Tech Camp is our flagship program highlighted by an immersive annual summer camp experience for students in grades 8 through 12. A cohort of 8th grade students are identified with consideration given to socioeconomic status, gender and ethnicity. The new cohort, as well as the previous four cohorts, are invited each year to attend the one-week summer camp.

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Through our YouthCode program, students in elementary and middle school are introduced to the basics of coding and robotics. The delivery of workshops, instructional classes, camps and ad-hoc events enable Tech Journey to impact and engage with students before 8th grade, serving as an on ramp to Tech Camp.

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CoderDojoDSM is a program intended for ongoing mentoring of Tech Camp students beyond the one week of summer and for YouthCode students beyond its various activities. CoderDojos are a global movement of community-based coding meetups where students visit a Dojo to hone their skills in a less-structured, creative and social environment.

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Girls Who Code (GWC) Des Moines in for students in grades six to twelve who want to learn more about technology and tech careers. A nationally recognized program, GWC clubs bring together supportive peers and role models in community as they work together to complete projects through an adaptive curriculum.

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Interested in getting involved?

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