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Applications Open for KodeConnect STEM Envisions Academy
Applications are now open for the KodeConnect STEM Envisions Academy this fall. This is a Middle School program where participants learn about building video games, work as a team, hear from STEM professionals, and pitch in a “shark tank” style presentation competing for prizes. Learn more about the program and the requirements for applying on our website.
KodeConnect Virtual 5k Thanks
We have GREAT NEWS! The Virtual 5k over $6053.27! A huge debt of gratitude to all who walked/ran and donated.
A very special thanks to our Platinum Sponsor- VITAMIN SEA BREWING
KodeConnect is doing great things and we look forward to sharing our next big announcement with you soon.
Thanks for supporting KodeConnect and the kids we serve!
Jacqueline Porro appointed new Executive Director
Jacqueline Porro has been appointed our new Executive Director. Jacqueline follows in the footsteps of Eval Silvera, the founder and visionary of KodeConnect. She takes the reins at a momentous time for KodeConnect as we expand our reach and encourage the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. As we work to close the race and gender gap in tech, a future with a more fair and equitable workforce becomes achievable.
Message from our Founder Eval Silvera
It’s Juneteenth! It is time to build, because we have to. I’m frustrated, exhausted, yet remain hopeful with all that has gone on in the last few weeks since George Floyd was taken from this earth.
Why I’m here today
Many of you are aware that KodeConnect started from my daughter's love for learning and excitement over STEM. What many of you don’t know is that the root of KodeConnect started with my desire to honor my brother who was murdered in Florida in January of 2015 because of who he was. Just because he was a black man. There remains no justice and his killers are still free to this day. My brother was an engineer coming out of (New York Institute of Technology) NYIT and he used his talents to create and eventually built his own textile company based on the design he created. I was always inspired (and a little jealous) of the things he would build when I was a kid. Losing him to hate, still hurts to this day. When I get up to put in work for KodeConnect, I’m reminded of this pain but persist to honor him. I wanted to make sure those who didn’t have opportunities, to have a pathway to creating, leading, and getting excited about STEM related fields.
We know the numbers in tech around the number of black technologists are dismal, even with what seems to be a strong effort to make improvements. Diversity & Inclusion efforts were strong on efforts for diversity, but failed when it came to inclusivity. Many of the tech companies I’ve worked for in the past have pushed for culture, only to allow for unconscious biases to seep within and pass on qualified candidates in an effort for culture fit. When a qualified candidate of color does become a cultural “add”, the unfortunate byproduct of lack of inclusiveness puts the candidate in an uneasy state of “I don’t feel I belong” or wouldn’t be able to bring my “whole authentic self” to the company.
My hope
I’ve been encouraged and hopeful from conversations I’ve had over the last couple of weeks as many of our non-black partners, supporters, and volunteers have done more than just lend support, but asking in how can they make real change. Most of my responses start with thank you for listening, but now I need you to suit up and join the fight against racism. Go beyond allyship, and become a leader in this fight. I need to trust that your energy and passion here with me now, will be there when I’m not around. That you will speak up and identify when something isn’t right.
I leave this here today on Juneteenth as a reminder that though we as black people are free from slavery, we are still bound by systemic and institutional racism today.
But this isn’t about me. This is about our kids and our future. What KodeConnect provides is not only exposure to innovation, coding, leadership, career exploration, and more. It’s also an outlet that our kids need right now. We realize they don’t need more zoom meetings, but more connection and space to innovate and lead.
We can help. We are pushing the summer boundaries to help the kids create and become their best selves. We’ll connect online, but encourage getting out to play and innovate. This will include expanding our pilot KodeConnect @ Home series to include educating kids about Black inventors/STEM pioneers through our programs while working with corporate sponsors to show a pathway to careers in STEM.
KodeConnect is a program for marginalized kids to not only get to know STEM but to fall in love with STEM and become leaders using STEM as a vehicle.
Call to action:
Let’s start with educating ourselves around institutional and systemic racism. I’d like to share some resources to get started.
Promote, foster, and recruit STEM for minorities and women. There are a number of organizations that also support this including (Hack.diversity, Resilient Coders, G|Code House)
Help bridge the gap that exists in tech. Donate to our efforts to bring kids closer to STEM careers or find time to volunteer and help expose our youth to career pathways.
KodeConnect Introduces KodeConnect @ Home (KCH) Series
Starting next week will begin the start of virtual programs aimed at continuing our focus for STEM, critical thinking, and leadership.
As we continue to stay safe during these current times, KodeConnect is working to bring our programming to you! Starting next week will begin the start of virtual programs aimed at continuing our focus for STEM, critical thinking, and leadership. Follow our social media and/or in our programs section in the coming weeks as we roll them out.
Weekend STEM Activities for Families
With the weekend upon us, many have self-isolated themselves with their families due to remote work and learning and to stay safe and healthy as the global COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold. We have have been inspired by how many of you have balanced learning, down time, and work in our new reality. Today, we wanted to quickly share with you some ideas and resources you could consider adding to your weekend plans!
Happy Friday everyone! With the weekend upon us, many have self-isolated themselves with their families due to remote work and learning and to stay safe and healthy as the global COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold. We have have been inspired by how many of you have balanced learning, down time, and work in our new reality. Today, we wanted to quickly share with you some ideas and resources you could consider adding to your weekend plans!
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (California Institute of Technology): Launch rockets, build a hovercraft, create a winning science fair project and more! These science, technology, engineering and math activities are fun for kids, adults and the whole family!
National PTA (At Home STEM Experiments): Don’t limit the STEM fun your family has to the school – have STEM excitement at home! National PTA and Bayer have developed five hands-on science experiments families can do together for minimal costs (you probably already have all these materials at home!)
Brainchild (Netflix): Need something for the kids to watch other than YouTube? Check out the Netflix original series “Brainchild” for some great STEM content to watch together as a family. From germs and emotions to social media and more, it's the science of the world explained in a way that's refreshingly relatable.
How will you be spending this weekend with your family? What exciting STEM activities or shows do you recommend? Please share yours in the comments below! Stay safe and well everyone!
Virtual STEM Activities For Kids
With everything going on, KodeConnect wanted to continue to support the community with some fun activities your kids can do related to STEM while many of them are home. Beginning today, we’ll send along some of our favorites here at KodeConnect so that we can help keep the appetite for learning and innovating filled.
With everything going on, KodeConnect wanted to continue to support the community with some fun activities your kids can do related to STEM while many of them are home. Beginning today, we’ll send along some of our favorites here at KodeConnect so that we can help keep the appetite for learning and innovating filled.
Today let’s start with a mega list from Kids Activities Blog. This is a list of education companies offering free subscriptions. From this list, we wanted to highlight a few of our favorites:
VidCode: We love VidCode here at KodeConnect because of how easy it is to use. They have great, ready made projects for youth to jump right in (e.g. MapYourCommunity and Creating Your Own Typeface) (link: https://about.vidcode.com/hour-of-code)
MineCraft Education Edition: While MineCraft use has gone down the past few years, you can still use it for educational purposes! Using Microsoft Agent, have your youth spend a hour coding to collect data about forest fires. Learn coding basics and explore a real-world example of artificial intelligence. (link: https://education.minecraft.net/lessons/minecraft-hour-of-code/)
50 Science Activities: Science games and activities provide exciting ways to learn about how the world works. And if you’re wondering how to make learning science fun, the answer is through games, of course! Science is all about observation and experimentation. Add in a game element and your kid is sure to have fun while learning about science! Check out this list 50 science games in the areas of natural science, social science, and computer science.
Which educational activities have you planned to keep your family busy learning? Please share yours in the comments below! Stay safe and healthy!
KodeMakers After School Club Winter/Spring 2020
KodeMakers Club is back. Will host a free twice weekly robotics and coding club at the Brockton Community Family Center.
Week nights at the Brockton Community Family Center @ 108 Oak St, Brockton
Tuesdays and Thursdays Grades 2nd-5th
Space is limited, please register
KodeConnect Adds 2 New Board Members
KodeConnect is excited to announce the addition of two new board members to the KodeConnect family! At KodeConnect, our board is committed to exposing and engaging underserved youth with STEM learning experiences. Sara Czyzewicz and Ed Cabellon, two accomplished and impressive individuals, will soon be joining us in our constant effort to help inspire the next generation of programmers, engineers, and problem solvers.
KodeConnect is excited to announce the addition of two new board members to the KodeConnect family! At KodeConnect, our board is committed to exposing and engaging underserved youth with STEM learning experiences. Ms. Sara Czyzewicz and Dr. Ed Cabellon, two accomplished and impressive individuals, will soon be joining us in our constant effort to help inspire the next generation of programmers, engineers, and problem solvers.
Sara Czyzewicz: CEO, Leader, and Strategist
As the CEO of her own company for over five years, Sara worked tirelessly within the tech sector, building up long-lasting relationships. During her successful career within social media management, Sara has worked as an engineer, leader, and strategist with well-known brands such as Fidelity, GE, Starwood Hotels, and Volkswagen.
"Having personally battled many hurdles that come with being an ambitious female engineer, I'm a strong advocate for minorities in technology," says Sara. After receiving her first computer when she was 12, Sara began to develop websites, and eventually became obsessed with the creative and technological process. It's this personal insight that lends her towards work with the youth.
Dr. Ed Cabellon: Nationally Recognized and Accomplished Higher Education Executive and Faculty Member
Ed has spent 23 years working at universities and colleges, striving to positively impact the lives of his students and their families. He currently teaches in the graduate program at Bridgewater State University and online at Caldwell University and most recently served as Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management at Bristol Community College. As a first-generation, Filipino-American college graduate, Ed has educated and inspired thousands of students in his career, and believes strongly in KodeConnect’s mission.
“Technology and education have always gone hand in hand for me throughout my educational journey. My doctoral research and publications are rooted in how college administrators and faculty have used technology in their work.” says Ed. After leading technology innovations in and out of the classroom throughout his career, he is thrilled to help the Board continue KodeConnect’s evolution by helping more youth grow as leaders through technology focused activities and events.
KodeConnect: A Passion for Continuous Learning
KodeConnect believes strongly in continuous learning, team building, and problem solving. These are attributes that both Ed and Sara share. Learn more about KodeConnect's mission at www.KodeConnect.org.
Hands on Learning: Inspiring Kids in the Tech Industry
How can children be inspired to learn more about tech? One of the best methods is through hands-on learning. In hands-on learning, children are able to be inspired directly by those in the industry, visualizing themselves within the field and finding the specializations that interest them the most.
KodeConnect's School Vacation Field Trip with Slalom Consulting
On April 18th, students visited Slalom Consulting to learn more about engineering and problem solving. During their field trip, they worked hands-on with engineers to see how they tackled the challenges they face day-to-day, in addition to learning about a variety of roles in the tech field, and brainstorming new products and designs.
By connecting education to real world problems, our students were able to see how valuable and diverse the field of technology and engineering can truly be.
Hands-On Learning Gives Concrete Results
One of the major advantages to hands-on learning is that kids are able to connect in a tangible way. By touring a technological firm or seeing technology in use, they're inspired to see themselves in roles and contexts that they may not have imagined before. Tech is all about giving kids options: showing them what is possible.
Hands-on learning forms memories that will last a lifetime. At Slalom Consulting, kids were able to take part in multiple levels of the company's design and development process.
Keying In to a Child's Learning Style
It's well-known that some children are more visual learners, some auditory, and some hands-on. Some children have to be able to see something, others do better while listening. A walkthrough of local companies that are highly technical or tech-inspired engages all of a child's senses, giving them more opportunities to connect with the experience.
Meeting Role Models in the Tech Industry
Often, children need to really see the people within an industry to connect to a path for them. By seeing people like them inside of a tech field, they will be inspired to learn more about it. Role models within the technical field can serve as inspirations, telling children exactly what it is about the tech industry that inspires them.
During their time at Slalom Consulting, the students were able to learn about the various roles that were used to build a product, and were able to see themselves within those roles.
There are many benefits to hands-on learning and business-related outreach programs. By showing children how technology is being used in the real world, you can open up their minds to the possibilities. For companies, this type of community outreach serves to foster learning in the new generation. To learn more, connect with us at KodeConnect.