I.T. Discovery Network

The IT Discovery Network offers K-12 students, parents, and teachers a wide array of free and inexpensive choices to explore the IT world.

Exposure to computer science helps K-12 students explore and engage in the world of technolgy.

Learn more about vetted ‘tech experience’ providers who support students in learning and give them resources to make informed decisions about future career options.

These opportunities also allow kids to meet peers and learn new computing skills. 

The IT Discovery Network exists because the ITCOE realizes future IT talent begins when technology, curiosity, and fun are given the chance to flourish through experimentation.

Abamath

Twin Cities, Grades 3-6
We do for coding what little league does for baseball. We run epic robotics and coding classes through partnerships with community education programs in Minnesota with all of the excitement of a sport.

BDPA

Twin Cities & Rochester Area, Grades 8-12

A not-for-profit all volunteer organization focused on technology professional development for students of color.

Best Buy Teen Tech Center

Twin Cities, ages 12-19
A space for teens to use new technologies with help from other teens and adult mentors, and then share their work with other teens across the globe through the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network. Technology and multimedia tools are available for music and video production, interactive programming, digital photography, graphic design, and much more.

Coder Dojo

Various locations
Free, mentored coding environment and events for youth.

createMPLS

Minneapolis
Preparing students in underserved communities for the future of work through innovation and accessible technology learning programs. We provide free coding, robotics, and app development learning labs in locations to fill the opportunity gap.

Code Savvy

Twin Cities
A not-for-profit organization inspiring kids and teens to become code-savvy.

Digital Empowerment Academy

Twin Cities, priority to North Minneapolis students, ages 13-17
The Digital Empowerment Academy is a digital literacy, civic technology initiative that works to enable youth to become savvy creators of digital content.

Genesys Works

Twin Cities, Grade 12
Genesys Works changes the life trajectory of underprivileged high school students by enabling them to work in meaningful internships, at major corporations, during their senior year in high school. After an eight-week intensive training program, students work at one of our client companies to discover that they can indeed succeed as professionals in the corporate world.

High Tech Kids

Statewide
3 STEM robotic programs:

  • MN FIRST LEGO League Junior (students kindergarten through 3rd grade) — 3-10 students program a LEGO Mindstorms robot to solve a mission.

  • MN FIRST LEGO League (students 4th though 8th grade)

  • MN FIRST Tech League (students 7th through 12th grade)

*Scholarships available

Leonardo’s Basement

Minneapolis, ages 6-99
A one-of-a-kind creative learning environment for “kids” of all ages to design and build from their imagination. Sign up for classes, offer birthday parties, etc.

REVE Academy

Minneapolis, Grades 5-12
To help students dream with direction by providing pathways to digital careers.
Core programs:

  • Reve Edu – basic web design elements

  • Reve Dev – business skills

  • Reve Retail – digital marketing skills

STEM Fuse

Online, Grades K-12
Play, build, and learn Game Development! Play fun, app-friendly games and earn badges to be the best. Build a drag-and-drop math-centered baseball game. Learn the basic concepts of Game Development and STEM theory.

STEP-UP Achieve

Minneapolis, ages 16-21

Connects youth with paid internships at top Minneapolis / St Paul employers and provides several enrichment events that further build  interns skills in the tech and engineering fields.

The Works

Twin Cities, ages pre-K to adult
Museum, summer camps and other activities to make engineering fun with hands-on activities, real tools, and everyday materials.