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IT is it! Discover why Tech is fun, rewarding, dynamic, creative, challenging and very cool.
Inspiring youth to become our next, best Minnesota-grown technology talent
Helping K-12 students discover, explore and engage in the world of information technology (IT)
The IT Discovery Network consists of a mixture of ‘tech experience’ providers who offer K-12 students, parents, and teachers a wide array of free and inexpensive choices to explore the IT world. The ultimate goal is to support students and give them resources to make informed decisions about their future learning and career options by creating opportunities for kids to team up with peers to learn new computing skills and also engage with technology professionals who love what they do. The IT Discovery Network exists because the ITCOE realizes future IT talent begins when technology, curiosity and fun are given the chance to flourish through experimentation.
MN State IT Center of Excellence Programs
The Minnesota State IT Center of Excellence helps students learn more about IT learning opportunities in the state of Minnesota. We want younger Minnesotans to have the chance to “try out” future IT career opportunities and learn valuable skills like coding for little or no money.
IT Discovery Network Partners and Programs
Abamath
Twin Cities, Grades 3-6
We do for coding what little league does for baseball. We run epic robotics and coding classes through partnerships with community education programs in Minnesota with all of the excitement of a sport.
BDPA
Twin Cities & Rochester Area, Grades 8-12
A not-for-profit all volunteer organization focused on technology professional development for students of color.
Best Buy Teen Tech Center
Twin Cities, ages 12-19
A space for teens to use new technologies with help from other teens and adult mentors, and then share their work with other teens across the globe through the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network. Technology and multimedia tools are available for music and video production, interactive programming, digital photography, graphic design, and much more.
Coder Dojo
Various locations
Free, mentored coding environment and events for youth.
CoderDojo Twin Cities, ages 8-17
Youth under 13 must have a parent present for entire event.
CoderDojo SW MPLS, ages 13-17
Youth under 13 must have a parent present for entire event.
Northfield CoderDojo, ages 6-18
createMPLS
Minneapolis
Preparing students in underserved communities for the future of work through innovation and accessible technology learning programs. We provide free coding, robotics, and app development learning labs in locations to fill the opportunity gap.
Code Savvy
Twin Cities
A not-for-profit organization inspiring kids and teens to become code-savvy.
- Code Camps — Summer programming for youth ages 6-17.
- Technovation Challenge –Young women ages 12-18 design and code mobile apps + the festive Appapalooza
- MN Coding in the Classroom Leadership Cohort— K-8 teachers & educator coding curriculum & hands-on workshops.
- Learn to Code— online resources for beginning coders.
- Get With the Program— K-12 hands on workshops, conferences, and mentoring.
DigiGirlz
Twin Cities & online, Grades 9-12
DigiGirlz, a Microsoft YouthSpark program, gives high school girls the opportunity to learn about careers in technology, connect with Microsoft employees, and participate in hands-on computer and technology workshops.
- High Tech Camps
- Digigirlz Day
- On-line classes
Digital Empowerment Academy
Twin Cities, priority to North Minneapolis students, ages 13-17
The Digital Empowerment Academy is a digital literacy, civic technology initiative that works to enable youth to become savvy creators of digital content.
Genesys Works
Twin Cities, Grade 12/seniors in partner high schools
Genesys Works changes the life trajectory of underprivileged high school students by enabling them to work in meaningful internships, at major corporations, during their senior year in high school. After an eight-week intensive training program, students work at one of our client companies to discover that they can indeed succeed as professionals in the corporate world.
getSTEM
Educators and professionals connect and build relationships to help Minnesota students excel in the classroom through classroom visits, equipment donations, and professional development opportunities.
High Tech Kids
Statewide
3 STEM robotic programs:
- MN FIRST LEGO League Junior (students kindergarten through 3rd grade) — 3-10 students program a LEGO Mindstorms robot to solve a mission.
- MN FIRST LEGO League (students 4th though 8th grade)
- MN FIRST Tech League (students 7th through 12th grade)
*Scholarship grants are available
Leonardo’s Basement
Minneapolis, ages 6-99
A one-of-a-kind creative learning environment for “kids” of all ages to design and build from their imagination. Sign up for classes, offer birthday parties, etc.
Mad Science of Minnesota
Twin Cities, ages pre-K to high school
Hands-on science experiments for children to be as entertaining as it is educational.
MHTA
MHTA and the sister MHTA Foundation are actively involved in developing and promoting STEM educations. Programs include Tech Experience Tours for middle and highschool students, undergraduate internships, and scholarships.
Minnesota Computers for Schools (MCFS)
Minneapolis & St Paul, ages 14-adult
MCFS works with schools and nonprofits to teach computer literacy and skills to students of all ages. Free CORE: IT classes take place in the community and provide students with technology skills, certifications and opportunities to succeed.
Minnesota STEM Partnership
A “Kindergarten to Career” not-for-profit volunteer organization focused on helping students and their families navigate the many Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education opportunities within the Twin Cities and across greater Minnesota.
Reve Academy
Minneapolis, Grades 5-12
To help students dream with direction by providing pathways to digital careers.
Core programs:
- Reve Edu – basic web design elements
- Reve Dev – business skills
- Reve Retail – digital marketing skills
STEM FUSE
Online, Grades K-12
Play, build, and learn Game Development! Play fun, app-friendly games and earn badges to be the best. Build a drag-and-drop math-centered baseball game. Learn the basic concepts of Game Development and STEM theory.
STEP-UP Achieve
Minneapolis residents, ages 16-21
Connects youth with paid internships at top Minneapolis / St Paul employers and provides several enrichment events that further build interns skills in the tech and engineering fields.
TWIST EPIC Awards
Twin Cities, for females in grades 8-12
EPIC Awards honor young women in the Twin Cities area for their dedication to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at Target Headquarters, in downtown Minneapolis. The award application period typically occurs early April through late September.
The Works
Twin Cities, ages pre-K to adult
Museum, summer camps and other activities to make engineering fun with hands-on activities, real tools, and everyday materials!
Career Resources
Additional Resources for Girls
The IT Discovery Network Providers inspire and empower students to explore, and engage in IT learning experiences that enhance their skills, and expose them to individuals and organizations who are passionate about use of technology to solve business and societal problems, while creating new, innovative opportunities.