Called the High School Tech Camps, designed for NEO students, the 2019 program features eight, one-week, full-day sessions – each sponsored by leading NEO employers and industry groups. The camps are organized and delivered by longtime collaborators, the Northeast Ohio Regional Information Technology Engagement Board (RITE) and TECH CORPS.
Bendix has donated $10,000 each year since the program launched with five coding-focused camps. This support has helped the program to expand to include coding, cybersecurity and blockchain-focused camps across eight NEO colleges and universities. More than 800 students from across the region have participated in the program. In 2018, students represented 66 different high schools, the company says.
All the camps, held during June and July, are free to participating students. Among the sites is Lorain County Community College (LCCC) in Elyria, where Bendix is headquartered. In all, the camps will serve 160 high schoolers selected through an application process. A special emphasis is placed on recruiting students typically underrepresented in computer science programs, including ethnic minorities and girls.
During each camp, students are immersed in subject matter focused on C# programming language, cybersecurity or blockchain. Working collaboratively, they explore complex ideas and concepts, while using technology to design and create solutions. Students also interact with technology professionals from the sponsor organizations and learn about educational and career pathways in the region.
The 2019 High School Tech Camps will be held at these locations:
Students can CLICK HERE to learn more about the camps and complete a camp application.
“We’re thrilled to again sponsor the High School Tech Camps. The experience helps students discover their passion, build their IT skills and learn the rewards that can come from technical endeavors,” says Kate Scheibelhut, director, IT Americas and Global Innovation, Bendix. “In addition to helping the students, programs such as this camp help our business and region by expanding the base of technical talent. By contributing to this inspiring effort, Bendix has the opportunity to help plant the seeds for the future.”
Scheibelhut serves on the Greater Lorain RITE Council, a local action arm of RITE’s Regional Leadership Board, as the employer representative for Bendix. The effort is part of Bendix’s ongoing dedication to support local STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and education programs, as well as area-wide community growth, the company says.
“With our company-wide commitment to supporting STEM initiatives, the High School Tech Camps program is a natural fit and we’re grateful for the opportunity to sponsor it,” Scheibelhut says. “Everybody wins — most importantly, the students, but also companies like ours that rely on technical talent, and our region as a whole.”
