25
TechTown Chattanooga Tour Book
TechTown Chattanooga Tour Book
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 2
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 3
TechTown Global Team:
Patrick Gusman, Director of Workforce Development Chris Cummings, National Partnership Director Clay Odom, Director of National Expansion Alex Nichols, Partnership Coordinator
TechTown Team:
Paul Cummings, Founder Paul Cummings, John Foy, Todd Philips, Owners Cordell Carter II, CEOCatherine Bolden, Director of Cultural Arts & EducationNaiara Cancel, Director of Public Relations & Community Outreach Ellen Leamon, Director of School Programs & Teacher Workforce Dev.Chad Bullard, Learning OfficerMurray Fenstermaker, Learning OfficerKaitlin DeFoor, Content CuratorLynda Stephens, Executive Assistant to CEO
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 4
PURPOSE
TechTown was created to inspire imagination, innovation, and collaboration in kids via hands-on instruction in state-of-the-art technologies. Our program
provides the Chattanooga community - and, soon, other communities across the country - the opportunity for children to expand their interests and talents in
the fields of video production, technology, graphic design, and entrepreneurship.
AUDIENCE
Kids learn best when they are allowed to explore, and it’s that spirit of exploration,coupled with our interactive, goal-driven, and fun learning pathways, that allows young
learners to excel in complex areas, such as programming, videography, 3D design, and robotics. We also believe it is important for the entire community to have the
skills and knowledge for the 21st Century innovation economy.
PROCESS
We are dedicated to engaging our youth and community in the creative aspects of technology. We also believe that learning should be fun. All of our modules are interactive,
collaborative, and goal-oriented, and each session has a specific objective.
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 5
TechEd Labs WorkForce Development
Use state-of-the-art technology solutions toaddress workforce needs starting with soft skills
The Workforce Development Center will:• Collaborate with local businesses to provide solutions around existing gaps• Create a dynamic classroom environment to deliver world-class instruction• Support continuing education through eLearning
The Workforce Development Center will take a multidisciplinary approach by offering a full suite of technical skills and soft skills:• Coding and Design• Communication skills• Interview and presentation skills
• Conflict resolution• Competency programs• And much more...
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 6
Workforce resources for the local community
Serving: • Seniors • Veterans • Diversity programs • Corporate entities • Community organizations • Teacher professional development • Higher education outreach • Non-profit organizations
TechEd Labs Development Outreach
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 7
A creative coalition of art and culture
• TechTown Showbiz • Reading Theatre Troupe • Command the Stage • Video Production • Graphic Design • Content Development • Artistic Design • Ideation • Entrepreneurial Soft Skills • Interview Skills
Bolden Smart Cultural Arts Center
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 8
TechTown Retail Store
Products that support the mission of TechTown
• Technology centric books • Toys • Apparel • Electronics • Branded gear • Novelty items
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 9
Relaxation Station
Socialize and build real relationships
A daily guided learning experience in: • Unwind and relax • Chat -n- chews • Study cubes • Community building
R
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 10
Fab Lab
3D Printing Center, Laser Cutting, Soldering Stations
Learn to: • Take ideas from concept to real life • 3D print designs • Construct real machines • Be a Maker • Develop products
Where fun and hands-on education collide
F
“ “
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 11
Exhibitions
The latest in disruptive technologies
Experience technologies such as: • Drones (UAV) • Robots • Cyber • Internet • Local Innovation
E
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 12
Kilobytes
A dynamic mini-TechTown designedfor our 7 to 10 year old innovators
A daily guided learning experience in: • Code and Design • Circuitry and Robotics • Digital Art • Storyboarding • Basic Videography
Inspiring confidence and belief through accessto the world’s best technology
K
““
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 13
TechTalk
Guest lectures, information based workshops, the “Parent Pitch” project, student teaching experience
“The Saturday Project” • Documentary film • The technology play • The TechTown apparel project • Solve a community problem
TechTalks will feature a community of collaborative leaders,teachers, parents, and community organizations
T
““
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 14
Coding
Learn the fundamentals of these multifaceted operating systems:Windows®, Macintosh®, Linux®
Learn to: • Code games • Build web applications and software • Modify or design from scratch • Understand multiple coding languages • Explore personal interests
C
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 15
Design
Explore an artistic approach to technology
Learn to: • Build websites • Create digital illustrations • Design user interfaces • Construct 3D models • Compose game art
Members turn their art and designs into real worldproducts to support TechTown impact giving projects
D
““
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 16
TechTown Gaming Center
Exhibit of games created by today’s youth anda curated collection of inspirational gaming projects
Designed to: • Inspire • Foster creativity • Encourage design • Challenge existing norms
Build a game that’s amazing!
G
“ “
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 17
Robotics
LEGO(™) Mindstorm EV3 Robotics Kits
Learn to: • Build and code robots • Solve real world problems • Master logic based thinking • Learn the skill of design
R
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 18
Circuitry
The fundamentals of electricity and circuitry using littleBits®
Learn to: • Prototype devices • Program micro-controllers • Build intelligent machines • Create new devices
TechTown is a global chapter of littleBits®
C
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 19
Videography
A full-suite of leading videography tools:high-definition cameras, studio-quality lighting, and
professional editing suites in a multi-media studio environment
Learn to: • Tell stories through video • Practice creative collaboration • Develop pre and post-production skills • Write, produce, and edit complete projects
V
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 20
VisionWhat was the inspiration for TechTown? TechTown is a culmination of ten years of planning by Paul Cummings, Founder of Woople. He has partnered with John Foy and Todd Phillips to build TechTown for the City of Chattanooga.
Why Chattanooga? There are so many great things happening here in Chattanooga for entrepreneurs…from the Innovation Zone, to co-working space, to funding organizations like the JumpFund. What every innovation ecosystem needs is a steady pipeline of talent. Otherwise, young entrepreneurs will leave for talent-rich environments. Chattanooga has invested too much to incubate companies for other cities. TechTown is here to build the skills of young innovators and guide them into the innovation ecosystem that currently exists. We are also not forgetting about the hundreds of jobs being created by Volkswagen and others. We have the facilities, instructors, and learning pathways to train adults for jobs currently available in the region as well.
AccessWhat would I tell a student interested in STEM regarding access to TechTown? There are two ways to engage: 1) Students can check with their school to ensure that there isn’t already a partnership in place with TechTown that they may leverage; 2) the second way is for that student to come to the facility, purchase a day pass and spend time working their way through a few of our “challenge exercises”. These exercises are intended to encourage exploration and get young innovators closer to their passion. Once we figure out what they are passionate about, we can direct them to one of the MyQuest learning pathways that will allow them to go deeper in any of 9 different career pathways.
How much does a Day Pass/Membership cost? A day pass is $10, monthly memberships are $150, and annual memberships are $995. For a handful of schools making TechTown an approved after-school activity, we have offered a 50% discount to their students for the academic year.
TechTown FAQs:
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 21
Curriculum and EducationWhat type of learning happens at TechTown? The TechTown learning model is predicated on student agency, meaning learners must take responsibility for their own learning. Our learning approach is to guide and assist, not teach.
What is your learning model?TechTown has created MyQuest, a learning system containing 2,500 hours of content along three learning pathways: Art, Engineering, and Software.
Art Engineering Software- Film - Robotics - Mobile Applications- 2D/3D Design - Integrated Circuitry - Web Developer- UX/UI Design - Fabrication/3D printing - Game Making
By completing one of these learning pathways a student will become a TechTown scholar. These scholars are the backbone of the TechTown experience. They, along with other mentors, can give instruction and guidance when and where it is needed. These scholars will have access to internships and will gain the skills necessary to join the entrepreneurial ecosystem. TechTown provides the technical knowledge, but it is up to the students to decide how and where they want to impact the world.
How do you determine where a learner begins their Learning Pathway?We believe finding each innovator’s personal interest and passion to be the most important determining factor in helping to decide a learning path.
What are the qualifications of TechTown staff? Our staff represents the innovation ecosystem we are feeding. They are engineers, lawyers, communicators, entrepreneurs, former teachers, artists, and tinkerers.
TechTown FAQs:
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 22
How do teachers get involved? TechTown is granting free access to teachers eight days a year for professional development and collaboration. The TechTown team also deploys the TechTown Comes to You program which brings TechTown projects and exercises to classrooms all around Hamilton County. Outreach to Underserved StudentsHow will you insure that TechTown doesn’t become the technology playground for the wealthiest families? Our development team is focused on raising $2M to fund scholarships for students from Title I schools. Our intent is to work with corporate sponsors and funders, like yourselves, to determine which principals, teachers, and students would benefit the most from TechTown membership. We are also directly coordinating with schools via the TechTown Comes to You program.
How can I sponsor a child, school, or event?Any individual, group, organization, business, or foundation can get involved in our sponsorship programs. From simply providing day passes to being one of our nationwide sponsors, we welcome your support regardless of the amount you desire to contribute. Please visit our website for more information.
Safety & SecurityWhat safety procedures are in place for the facility? In the event of an emergency (fire, natural disaster, etc.) TechTown staff will follow the posted evacuation protocols and guide learners safely to designated meeting areas.
Do you have security cameras in the facility? Yes, there are numerous security cameras in the learning center so that every room (with the exception of the restrooms) has a live feed into two monitors. One is located in the lobby and another in the staff offices.
TechTown FAQs:
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 23
How long will you preserve video footage? Our current plan is to store up to 30 days of video footage.
What is the staff to student ratio? We strive to have no more than 20 learners per staff person, but will often have far smaller ratios given the number of volunteers present.
How do you screen staff? Staff and volunteers are subjected to a background check before being allowed in the building.
General Facts & QuestionsIs there Parking? Yes, we have 75 spaces in the Sports Barn parking garage directly across Market Street. There are also several parking spaces at the drop-off location in the pull-around on the Broad Street side. Can parents come with their children? We recognize the importance of parent involvement at TechTown. For this reason, we will be scheduling programs that include parent-student participation. Visit our website to find out where you can become a kid again. What is the cost of the Saturday project? Participation in the Saturday Project for 12 weeks costs $250. In addition, individual Saturday tickets can be purchased for each component of the Saturday Project availability permitting. Saturday Projects are limited to 40 kids per Saturday.
TechTown FAQs:
325 Market Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37402 • (423) 308-7730 • gotechtown.org 24
Will there be classes or lectures available? TechTown is committed to providing ongoing education through a series of guest lectures, appearances by industry experts, and by leveraging localized talent, who have a passion to work with youth. Will the facility serve lunch or dinner?TechTown features a unique space called the Relaxation Station. The Relaxation Station is a community environment complete with vending machines where young innovators can have a snack and a chat with their friends. The TechTown facility is located downtown with great dining options for more comprehensive dining options. Will parents receive any type of status reports on their child’s progress?We will provide parents with a monthly progress report containing the following information: -In which pathway of exploration their child is currently working -How many modules they have completed -What level they are on in the MyQuest system -If their child has earned an achievement What are your operating hours?In 2015, TechTown will be providing Summer Camps during the weekdays from 8:30-3:30pm. Beginning Saturday, July 5th the facility will be open from 10am to 8pm each Saturday until the school year begins. Please visit our website for post-summer opportunities.
TechTown FAQs:
TechTown Sponsorships
