Tech Journey
Tech Journey’s mission is to “Inspire youth to increase their knowledge and interest in technology by providing engaging learning opportunities led by technology professionals.” This mission is accomplished through core values of providing tools and knowledge for success, opening closed doors and committing to a journey with the students, just as the Tech Journey name implies. Tech Journey’s programs, student employment opportunities and scholarships provided to students compliment one another and are intentionally designed to provide long-term engagement and mentoring from late elementary or middle school to the end of high school, resulting in maximum influence and impact with students.
“This week at Tech Camp, led by Tech Journey, I have learned that I can do a lot of things that I never realized that I could do and I can persevere no matter how hard it is. Sometimes it’s super difficult and I get frustrated, but I’ve learned that through it all it will help me grow myself. And now I am actually looking into a job that goes into technology.” - Liliana M.
Programs
Tech Camp
For central Iowa students in grades 8 through 12, Tech Journey's flagship program, Tech Camp, serves as an immersive annual summer camp experience for 100 underserved and underrepresented youth. During the week students attend multiple sessions to be inspired and engage in technology. Tech Journey provides students with a laptop, Google account, curriculum and access to local professionals serving as volunteer facilitators, mentors and speakers. Students attending the program more than three years become eligible to receive a scholarship upon graduation.
CoderDojoDSM
Each month at CoderDojo Des Moines or CoderDojoDSM, students work on coding, building a website, creating an app or game, building or programming a robot, or simply exploring technology in a less-structured, creative, and social environment. There is no group instruction. Rather, local professional technologists serving as volunteer mentors help students as they work on projects of their choice. CoderDojoDSM is free and students of all skill levels are welcome.
YouthCode
The YouthCode program expands Tech Journey's reach to late elementary and middle school central Iowa students by introducing them to coding and robotics through the delivery of workshops, classes, camps and ad-hoc events. Focused on coding, engineering and robotics topics, students are provided instructions and hands-on learning to complete an objective or project. The YouthCode program also enables employment opportunities for older students to work as program aides and gain valuable experience.
Tech Clubs
Tech Clubs are teams of students sponsored by Tech Journey who meet regularly to compete in state-wide and national STEM-related competitions or work to achieve specific STEM objectives. Recent Tech Clubs have formed around FIRST® LEGO® League and FIRST Tech Challenge programs.
