This summer, our older students participated in an innovative eight-week “Maker Model” program at the Opportunity Hub (OHUB). The program emphasizes the importance of allowing students to create products that solve real-world problems. The new [email protected] Innovation Campus is a joint venture with Herman J. Russell that offers over 4,300 square feet of communal and collaborative co-working.
The STEAM Career & Work Readiness Summer Start-Up Program is a comprehensive training and support program for 8th through 12th grade students. It’s an extension of our Summer Youth Intern Workforce program, which provides internship opportunities as a participation incentive for older youth in Future Foundation programs.
One such student is Savannah Wilkerson, who has been participating in Future Foundation programs since fifth grade and will be a senior at Hapeville Charter Career Academy this fall.
“An internship is a great way to experience the work environment and gain leadership skills,” said Wilkerson. “Having been a student in Future Foundation programs, I’ve been waiting since the 7th grade and focusing on making the right grades so I qualified for this opportunity.”
On Mondays and Tuesdays, the students work with App & Software Development and Entrepreneurship Fundamentals at the OHUB. The summer interns receive an accelerated version of both classes during Wednesday “Lunch and Learns.” Through the use of the Google Applications suite, coding, app development, and media production, participants engage in a series of hands-on experiences. They work to solve problems with innovative solutions that demonstrate how technology could be used to boost their own academics. It’s all part of our goal to foster innovation and opportunities to develop, implement and manage sustainable change.
The project-based curriculum will culminate with the “Future Tank” a spin-off of “Shark Tank”, where students will have an opportunity to pitch their concepts from Health Information Technology (HIT), Creative Economy, Government Contracting, Supply Chain Innovation, and Social Impact to industry professionals for a chance to receive mentorship support from an OHUB and Shark Tank affiliate. Various cross-sector partners support the program. They include, Saving Our Sisters and Sons international (SOSSI), United Way of Greater Atlanta, GADFCS, and GADOE.