Elementary/Middle School
- Girls who code (3rd-5th grade club) + summer immersion
- UNC-Charlotte Cool School (1st-4th grade) Robotics Summer Camps (registration open January 2022)
- UNC-Charlotte 49er Minors (5th-8th) Robotics Summer Camps (registrations opens 01/2022)
- Technology Student Association:Middle School Competitions – TSA offers middle school and high school students in-school and virtual opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge through relevant competitions. Example events list:
- CAD Foundations – Participants have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of CAD fundamentals as they create a two-dimensional (2D) graphic representation of an engineering part or object.
- Coding – Participants will demonstrate their knowledge of computer science and coding by taking a written test
- Cybersecurity Foundations – Participants complete a Cybersecurity exam covering general cybersecurity vocabulary and knowledge needed to execute tasks commonly performed by all levels of cybersecurity professionals.
- Mechanical Engineering – Participants design and build a mechanical device to solve the problem statement for the identified theme.
- Tech Bowl – Participants demonstrate their knowledge of TSA and concepts addressed in the technology content standards by completing a written objective test.
High School
- Queen city robotics alliance – FIRST LEGO League introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children ages 4-16* through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program, helping today’s students and teachers build a better future together. Their three divisions inspire youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding, and design skills through hands-on STEM learning and robotics.
- Jr. First LEGO League (grades K-3)
- FIRST LEGO League (grades 4-8)
- FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 7-12) – Teams design, build, and code robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology, and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming.
- FIRST Robotics Competition (grades 9-12) – Under strict rules and limited time and resources, teams of high school students are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game in alliance with other teams, while also fundraising to meet their goals, designing a team “brand,” and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.
- Dual-enrollment engineering transfer pathway (intro to engineering + engineering graphics)
- Transfer pathway:
- Engineering pathway – Take introductory level engineering courses (introduction to engineering and engineering graphics) with the opportunities to obtain credits transferable to certain colleges/universities.
- Technical certifications(full list of certifications) – Get a head start on career goals and college classes. Tech/Engineering certifications list:
- Transfer pathway:
- Girls who Code (6th-12th grade club) + summer immersion
- UNC-Charlotte Niner Academy (9th-12th) Robotics Summer Camps summer 2021 camp list:
- Transportation Engineering
- Code Breakers/Make your own video game
- Robotics 301
- Ai for All
- Make your own Fortnite style game/Minecraft Redstone Engineers
- Javascript Development/Game Animation
- Python Programming/eSports Apprentice
- Science Olympiad: Technology and Engineering Events
- Technology Student Association: High School Competitions – Example Event List:
- Biotechnology Design – Participants select a contemporary biotechnology problem that reflects the theme for the year.
- Computer Aided Design – Engineering – Participants use complex computer graphic skills, tools, and processes to develop three-dimensional representations of engineering subjects such as a machine part, tool, device, or manufactured product.
- Engineering Design – Participants develop a solution to a National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge that is posted on the national TSA website.
- Software Development – Participants develop a solution to a National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge that is posted on the national TSA website.
Online/Remote
- Girls who code: Code at Home program beginner to advanced using Scratch, HTML, Python, and Java
- iD Tech Camps (age 7-18):
- 1-on-1 virtual tutoring
- Small group learning (included certifications in coding, game dev., etc)
- On-campus programs (Stanford, Rice, Princeton, Northwestern, MIT, Queens Uni, etc.)
- Offers courses on Coding, Robotics, and Game development
- Code.org
- Hour of Code – The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries. Anyone, anywhere can organize an Hour of Code event or try any of the over 500+ one-hour tutorials, available in over 45 languages.
- Ai and Machine Learning Modules – Code.org’s new curriculum module focuses on AI ethics, examines issues of bias, and explores and explains fundamental concepts through a number of online and unplugged activities and full-group discussions.
- Grades K-5 courses – CS Fundamental Express Course
- Grades 6-12 courses – Students have access to express courses, programming modules in Javascript, HTML, CSS, and more. Also access to the Code.org app lab, game lab, and web lab for development.
- Beyond K-12 – Provides information on internships, career exploration, scholarship opportunities, mentorships/communities, extracurricular opportunities, and online courses.
- Create&Learn FREE Intro Coding Camps: designed for grades 2-9 in small classroom settings –
- Example Classes: Roblox Studio, Scratch Coding, Ai Explorers, Minecraft Modding, etc.
- YouTube
- Freecodecamp.org Youtube Channel – Specialized videos and playlist with FULL coding tutorials and app/website recreation tutorials.
- Bro Code Youtube Channel – Comprehensive All-in-one coding tutorials including Python, Java, and C++. Playlist of website development and computer science principles.
- Brackeys Youtube Channel – Includes playlist on designing 2D games, using shading graphics, and creating survival/multiplayer games.
- Codecademy
- Offers comprehensive courses on 10+ programming languages (some free, most require a pro account).
- Python, Front-End Engineering, Javascript, HTML, Full-Stack Engineer, and Cybersecurity.
- Offers comprehensive courses on 10+ programming languages (some free, most require a pro account).
- Khan Academy
- Hour of Code – Experience Hour of Code™ with Khan Academy by doing Hour of Drawing with Coding, Hour of Websites, and Hour of Databases.
- Computer Programming – Videos, practice problems, and challenges teaching students how to use Javascript, HTML, and CSS to develop web pages, designs, and animations.
- Computer Science – Videos, practice problems, and challenges relating to Algorithms, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology.
- AP Computer Science Principles – Review course includes 800+ practice questions, plus instructional articles and videos covering the topics of digital information, the Internet, cybersecurity, programming, algorithms, simulations, and data analysis.
- SoloLearn FREE coding courses: Module learning with 30+ different languages/specializations. Includes code playground to create and explore new programs.
Post-High School
- CPCC
- Stimulation and Game + Design Programs: offers a student-centered, multidisciplinary approach to the study of simulation and game development, with opportunities to develop skills in design, programming, and 3D modeling and animation.
- UNC-Charlotte:
- Game Design and Development Certificate: primary purpose is to provide a well-defined target for students who want to advance their knowledge of modern game design and development techniques and work with a variety of professionals, from artists to writers, to being the visionary for an interactive game or media product.
- Major in Computer Science with a Concentration (Robotics/Gaming, Software Engineering, Bioinformatics, Ai, Information Technology, Data Science, Web/Mobile Applications, Cybersecurity, and Human-Computer Interactions)
Other
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg High Schools: pathways available in CMS district related to computing and engineering
- Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering
- App Development and Web Design
- Game Art Design
- Graphic and Digital Design
- Software Development
- Advanced Placement Courses
- AP Computer Science Principles Course Description – Learn the principles that underlie the science of computing and develop the thinking skills that computer scientists use.
- AP Computer Science A Course Description – Get familiar with the concepts and tools of computer science as you learn a subset of the Java programming language.
- AP Statistics Course Description – Learn about the major concepts and tools used for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. You’ll explore statistics through discussion and activities, and you’ll design surveys and experiments.
- AP Calculus AB/BC Course Description – Explore the concepts, methods, and applications of differential and integral calculus, including topics such as parametric, polar, and vector functions, and series.
- CS/Engineering Career Ideas
- Khan Academy: Careers in Tech – Explore different technology related occupations (senior software engineer, user experience researcher, information security analyst, etc.)
Boot Camps/Online Certifications
- Computer science bootcamp options from top rated universities like UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles, Rutgers University, University of Texas at Austin, Georgia Tech, and more. Website for more info.
- UNC-Charlotte bootcamp options allow students to become experts in coding, data analytics, cybersecurity, and financial technology.
- UNC-Chapel Hill bootcamp offers their own coding and data analytics. Additional courses in digital marketing and tech project management.
- Online Certifications powered by Coursera:
Additional Resources
Career Interest/Description Chart
| Career or Degree | Description |
| Ai/ Machine Learning Engineer | Machine Learning Engineers design and create artificial intelligence algorithms through analyzing and organizing data, executing tests, and optimizing the learning process. Help develop high-performance machine learning models to make applications more suitable to the user. |
| Game Development/Design | Responsible for designing and developing video games for PC, console, and mobile applications. Roles also include being involved in character design, level design, animation, and unit testing. |
| Software Engineering/Development | Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects. |
| Website Development | Create and maintain websites. Digital designers develop, create, and test website or interface layout, functions, and navigation for usability using various coding languages. |
| User Experience Analyst/Researcher | Help provide meaningful data-driven insights that represent the voice of multiple users. Collaborates across development, design, and marketing teams to evaluate current and upcoming user research needs that help to improve product definition and drive business goals. |
| Product Manager | Responsible for defining planning and marketing roadmaps from feedback gathered fit to the market/consumers needs. Works closely with product engineers to optimize development of new technologies. |
| Information Security Analyst | Design and implement security systems to monitor, investigate, and protect sensitive information. Make use of firewall software and data encryption sequences to safeguard network cybersecurity |