.png)
.svg)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
Introductory level exposure for all students to the available tech programs through a rotational, bootcamp style training, available throughout the year at time of registration. There will be an expedited path for Juniors and Seniors and 'special' participants.
Students self-select (with some guidance) specific program(s) after the Exploratory Training bootcamp to receive Foundational Training with industry-based knowledge partners and mentors. Students are able to update their portfolio with special projects and gain real-world experience through internships or ‘day in a life of’ with a mentor at their organization, and explore secondary educational pathways.
Advanced training where high school students can earn certification(s) to access entry-level technology careers and/or internships. Students are provided a mentor and job shadowing opportunities, and explore secondary educational pathways.
%20(1).png)
Between East Thirty-Fourth and Forty-Sixth Streets, and between Nicollet Avenue and Chicago Avenue is a collection of neighborhoods in Minneapolis that is home to many BIPOC-identifying peoples. Yet, they also have an average household income that is $20,000 less than the income of the county at large. These conditions create a self-perpetuating cycle and result in an economic apartheid where people of color in local neighborhoods have less generational wealth, lower property values or fewer routes to homeownership, lower educational attainment, and lower annual incomes.
Smart North has collaborated with members of the community and takes input from the community's youth to develop a solution. Technology's increasingly pivotal role in the workforce and the larger world becomes more and more apparent. Smart North aims to tackle these inequities from this angle. Smart North and its community partners plan to create new futures for the youths in this community by providing them with new opportunities, tech/occupational education, and other services. They offer programs to teach and inspire students about digital skills. In a program, youths can learn programming, cyber security, augmented virtual reality, Web 3, drone piloting, and artificial intelligence. They can also use technology for art, creative projects, and 3D design.
Beyond developing technology skills, Tech Hubs also connect students with resources for mentoring, apprenticeships, portfolio development, and resume writing. They provide youths with holistic support for barriers and struggles they face as individuals with unique circumstances, including access to food pantries, mental health resources, clothing, and transportation assistance.
.png)
Despite being a home to many with a high-quality life, Deer River is also home to many families and individuals who continue to struggle with its long-standing inequities that are geographic, racial, and economic in nature.
A grassroots group of Deer River residents, educators, and partners in collaboration with Smart North discusses that, in the post-pandemic world, more and more people can work remotely. From this realization comes the proposal of Community Tech Hubs. Our hubs serve as a joyful, welcoming, and inclusive environment where youth can develop new skills and find support and inspiration. This vision is based on digital literacy as a tool to build greater equity across demographics, communities, and geographies. Our community tech hub is made possible through the community Circle of Care partners and a grant from TC Energy.
This offers a way to change the story for Deer River youth by providing them with tech/occupational education and services that may be offered by a community center. The community tech center offers programs to teach and inspire students about digital skills. In a program, youths can learn programming, cyber security, augmented virtual reality, Web 3, drone piloting, and artificial intelligence. They can also use technology in art, creative projects, and 3D design.Beyond developing technology skills, Tech Hubs also connect students with resources for mentoring, apprenticeships, portfolio development, and resume writing. They provide youths with holistic support for barriers and struggles they face as individuals with unique circumstances, including access to food pantries, mental health resources, clothing, and transportation assistance.
In response to community and youth feedback, ISD 318 Community Education (the school district of Grand Rapids) and Smart North are excited to launch the Grand Rapids Tech Hub.
This initiative aims to create a joyous, safe, inclusive space where youth 12-20 years can hang out, socialize, and engage in project-based activities after school. Recognizing the need for 21st century tech education and careers readiness, the hub will offer exploratory and certification programs in leading technologies such as 3D design, programming, cyber security, AR/VR, AI and more, addressing the significant gaps in digital skills and college readiness identified in Minnesota.
The Tech Hub will serve over 4,000 K-12 students in Grand Rapids and Itasca County, where 49% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. By providing holistic support, including access to food, clothing, exercise, transportation assistance, along with social emotional support the hub aims to remove barriers and foster a love for learning. Our goal is to help youth discover new pathways to higher education, careers, and entrepreneurship through increased digital literacy.
Later this year, the Tech Hub will host a new initiative called "The Future is Feminine" whose goal is to bring more women into tech
oriented training and entry level good tech jobs across industries, while helping them with barriers of childcare, transportation, mentorship etc.
Both the youth and the women's initiatives are aimed at also boosting the local tech talent pipeline in the area.
.webp)
.webp)
.jpg)
