As the gap between the number of available STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) jobs and qualified graduates widens, iD Tech expands offerings to prepare kids and teens for school, college, and future careers.
CAMPBELL, Calif., Dec. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Jobs in STEM are growing at twice the national average—meaning one million tech positions are projected to go unfilled by the year 2020 (according to code.org). Since only one in ten high school students have access to Computer Science courses – and far fewer at the K-8 level – their ability to prepare for this booming job market is limited during the school year. But what about summer?
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131211/PH31260-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131211/PH31260-b )
iD Tech, the leader in summer technology education, is at the forefront of a learning revolution, making STEM education accessible to students—outside the traditional classroom setting. Entering its 16th season, iD Tech has expanded to 28 states, and will now offer over 40 tech courses at more than 80 university locations nationwide.
The company provides weeklong iD Tech Camps for ages 7-17—with new locations including Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown, and 10 others. There are also 2-week, intensive, pre-college, teen academies for ages 13-18 at iD Programming Academy, iD Game Design & Development Academy, and iD Film Academy. Next summer's courses are built around additional Minecraft offerings, plus others featuring Torchlight II™, Arduino™ electrical engineering boards, PHP, MySQL, Autodesk® Maya®, Scratch, Adobe® products, and more.
This expansion comes at a pivotal time for technology education. Common Sense Media recently revealed that the percentage of children younger than 8 with regular access to a smartphone or tablet has jumped to 75%. Technology has become a staple for modern youth, and future jobs in STEM will be abundant. However, most students don't know how to code or create the technologies they use daily.
To remedy this, organizations like Code.org have helped organize The Hour of Code to expose millions of students to programming. The event is running December 9-15th, and will serve as an hour-long introduction to coding in schools, communities, and workplaces nationwide. The goal is to emphasize that Computer Science is a foundation for every student and that anyone can learn to code.
In the same vein, iD Tech works to boost the mainstream appeal of programming and other STEM subjects. The summer programs teach kids and teens of all skill levels to create and innovate, instead of simply consuming apps, video games, and social media.
An unconventional teaching style sets iD Tech apart. Courses in programming, app development, video game design, robotics, web design, and visual arts are delivered in a hands-on, high-energy blended learning environment. The labs buzz with enthusiasm and laughter. 8:1 student-to-instructor ratios are guaranteed, and students work one-on-one with hip, tech-savvy instructors.
In its ever-popular Minecraft courses, students learn to design levels or program with Java to implement their creative visions into the game. The curriculum covers variables, data types, operators, conditionals, loops, and functions—knowledge that could lead to a career in computer science or the gaming industry.
"Kids and teens learn more effectively when they are engaged, having a great time, and learning from cool people who love what they do," says iD Tech CEO Pete Ingram-Cauchi. "We teach in an inspired and relevant way, while providing opportunities for students to problem-solve, innovate, collaborate, and build critical 21st century tech skills."
Record enrollment is expected in 2014 with well over 30,000 students. Through partnerships with industry leaders, course and location expansion, and dedication to quality tech education, iD Tech's goal is to equip today's students with skills needed to succeed in tomorrow's unfilled STEM jobs.
ABOUT iD TECH
iD Tech engages students ages 7-18 in STEM education with summer programs held at over 80 prestigious universities nationwide, including Stanford, Princeton, Yale, and others. iD Tech Camps provides weeklong day and overnight sessions for ages 7-17. There are also 2-week, pre-college, immersive teen academies: iD Programming Academy, iD Game Design & Development Academy, and iD Film Academy. iD Tech 365 offers all ages a year-round online learning platform with tutorials, forums, and contests. Visit www.iDTech.com or call 1-888-709-TECH (8324).
Media Contact:
Karen Thurm Safran
408-666-8353