Following New York’s plan to create several specialized tech high schools backed by Fred Wilson and Bloomberg, the city has just announced a program aimed at turning high school students into tech innovators. Yes, this may be the absolute best time and place to be a geek at 16.
The program, NYC Generation Tech (NYCGT), will provide “hands-on learning experiences and mentorship opportunities for New York City high school students interested in transforming the world through tech-based innovations.” There are two different programs planned: A 10 day, full time summer bootcamp and a series of after school sessions occurring later on this September.
NYCGT will be free and is currently accepting applications here until July 20th from students who will be in the 10th/11th grade during the 2012-13 school year. The number of students that will be accepted has not been disclosed.
Here are the eligibility requirements:
- Students who will be in the 10th or 11th grade in the 2012-13 school year
- Attend a NYC school with over 50% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch OR personally qualify for free or reduced lunch
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Minimum 90% attendance during 2012-13 school year
- Strong interest in technology and entrepreneurship
- Availability to attend all program sessions
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As for non-students, NYCGT is also searching for volunteers in the form of student mentors, tech mentors and guest speakers. To learn more about volunteering, check out this page.
Keep in mind that this is just a pilot program, so the first time around will likely resemble a beta test. That said, it’s amazing to see so much interest in transforming students across this city.
As we’ve written before, NY’s greatest barrier to becoming a dominant tech hub is its talent drought. Solving that problem at its source is an excellent way to grow.
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