In 2023, the TECH Hub launched TechBox, a program for middle and high school students in the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland to explore cutting-edge technologies and related career paths. Drones. Artificial Intelligence. 3-D Printing. These and others were the themes for the six-week after-school program. For participating, students received a gift card and a tablet for use during the program that they got to keep following completion.

Check out this great segment that aired on News Channel 5 about the program.

Coordinated in partnership with local nonprofit DigitalC, the entire effort evolved out of a grant from the PIT-UN, which helped establish the Internet of Things Community Advisory Board (ICAB). The ICAB includes six Hough residents and three organizational partners. Initial meetings revealed two primary public interest technology needs: developing youth programming and helping seniors withdigital and computer competency. The TechBox program achieves both.Students 14-years-old and older who complete the program have the opportunity to receive training from DigitalC and become paid DigitalNavigators in their community, helping seniors access and understand technology.

The TECH Hub is hoping to have students who participated in the first cohort help shape and plan the next one. TechBox is also planning a series of drone-focused activities at League Park in the summer of 2023 that are open to all community members. 

For more information, contact TECH Hub Managing Director Dr. Kelle DeBoth Foust.