Urban Innovation & Technology Challenge

To register as a mentor/volunteer please select Participate as an Individual; To register as a student team please select Create a Team.

Computer programming jobs are growing at twice the national average, but not enough Americans are learning to code. By 2020 it's estimated that there will be 1 million more computer sciences jobs than graduates, according to Code.org, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to expanding computer programming education. For students in middle - high school today in the US, by the time they enter the job market - it will be nearly impossible to succeed without a good foundation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). High potential youth in low opportunity settings are not gaining exposure to career pathways in STEM early enough to shape their life outcomes, educational performance, and workforce preparation.

Project Still I Rise is requesting your support with mentoring, volunteering, and or becoming a sponsor at our Urban Youth Hackathon. Hackathons gather together technologists (developers), artists (designers), and problem solvers (innovators) to build a web or mobile app that can change the world, create a business, or both! In addition to gaining valuable computer science and design skills, youth will learn what it takes to transform their ideas into fully developed products and services.

The Urban Youth Hackathon will take place on December 11-13, 2015 at Dallas Executive Airport. High shool student's will be placed in teams of up to 4 students and have 1-3 mentors to help solve a critical issue in our city and nation dealing with:

• Community / Economic Development
• Financial Literacy
• Health
• Higher Education
• Public Education
• Public Safety
• Transportation
• Youth Engagement / Empowerment

On the final day each team will have up to 5 minutes to pitch their innovative design to an audience of spectators, judges, parents and their peers.

Urban Youth Hackathon Schedule

Friday, December 11 – 7:00pm – 9:00pm

• 7pm - Student team check in and kickoff

Saturday, December 12 – 8:00am – 6:00pm

• 8:00am – Volunteers arrive
• 8:30am – Student teams and mentors arrive

Sunday, December 13 – 9:00am – 3:00pm

• 8:30am – Volunteers arrive
• 9:00am - Student teams and mentors arrive
• 1:00pm – Pitch competition begins

To register as a mentor/volunteer please select Participate as an Individual; To register as a student team please select Create a Team.