CTEP AmeriCorps members help Twin Cities organizations tackle digital inclusion

Each year our 35 CTEP AmeriCorps members choose community action projects that make a contribution to bridging the digital divide. We were thrilled to share this year’s projects with the public recently at Arlington Hills Community Center. Some projects were remarkable in breadth, as in the case of the “Quest for College” project that collaborated with 18 outside organizations in both St. Paul and Minneapolis. Others were impressive for digging deep with a small number of participants at one or two organizations. Through these creative projects our CTEP AmeriCorps members push institutions to collaborate on digital literacy, and to demonstrate a community-wide investment in technology as a means of civic engagement and employment. Indeed, this year’s projects represented collaborations with 60 metro based organizations. Tackling digital inclusion takes a sustained, coordinated, and collaborative effort; and we are proud of the work that our members and partner agencies are doing to increase digital literacy in the Twin Cities.

Below are the links to the prezi and power points presentations for each project, as well as to the videos for many of the projects.

AFTER SCHOOL CODE CLUB
Partnered with Code Savvy to teach 5th through 8th graders at Lucy Laney Community School in North Minneapolis about computer science concepts by making games, animations, and controlling robots. (Link to Prezi) 

DiIGITAL STORYTELLING INITIATIVE
Engaged youth in East St. Paul to develop digital storytelling skills through a summer camp. We believe in transparency, so we have provided links to the Digital Storytelling Initiative End of Year Report and a shared drive with our planning materials. (Link to Prezi) 

COMPUTER DISTRIBUTION AND ELECTRONICS RECYCLING DRIVE 
Organized two electronic recycling drives and worked with PCs for People to provide low-cost, refurbished computers to families in need. (Link to PowerPoint)

PUBLIC OPINION DOCUMENTAR ON iPad SCHOOL ROLLOUT
Created a short documentary about the impact of the iPad rollout in St. Paul Public Schools. Email stephenstraub@spnn.org or drakemeyers@spnn.org for more information about the screening in late August.

QUEST FOR COLLEGE
Connected local youth with downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul non-profit organizations through two digital scavenger hunt events. The events showcased and refined digital literacy skills applicable to students’ college aspirations, and rewarded every participant with technology. (Link to Prezi)

GIRLS AS TECHIES
Mentored young girls to create technology-inspired art at Maplewood Library and Emma's Place. (Link to PowerPoint)

iPADS IN THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE SCHOOL 
Supported teachers' use of technology in the classroom by creating a technology guide; and engaged students through an iPad exploration day. (Link to PowerPoint)

TECHNOLOGY FOR TRANSITION
Taught asylum seekers who have survived trauma how to use technology to access educational and wellness resources. (Because of the nature of this project  information about the organization is private and there is no video.) (Link to PowerPoint)

*A special thank you to our partner Higher Education Consortium of Urban Affairs (HECUA). All videos except the iPad documentary trailer were produced by HECUA interns Mickey Zhu and Ari Newman.