Meet Aria: A 5th-Grader in Bold Idea’s Coding Clubs
Aria is a 5th grader with a passion for creativity and a big imagination, and she’s channeling those qualities into learning computer coding. As a member of Bold Idea's Coding Club, she’s discovered that coding isn’t just about learning technical skills—it’s also a way for her to express her creativity and bring her unique ideas to life.
When asked if coding is fun, Aria didn’t hesitate: “Yes. I get to express my creativity.” For Aria, joining the Coding Club wasn’t just about learning something new; she was drawn to the idea of making her own games and learning coding languages like Python.
One of her favorite parts of the Coding Club experience is working with her mentors, Sean and Brian. “The mentors are really helpful with the coding courses and when I’m stuck. They’re also really nice,” Aria shared. Their support has helped her tackle new coding challenges with confidence.
Aria encourages other students to join Coding Club, especially if they’ve ever been curious about coding but haven’t tried it yet. “Coding Club is where they teach you to code your games in Scratch, and you learn coding languages,” she said. She even has practical advice for students, noting that coding skills could help them “make extra money when they grow up.”
One of Aria’s dream projects is to create a hotel game—a place with portals to other worlds and interdimensional characters. Her creativity knows no bounds, and her enthusiasm for coding allows her to explore and expand on these imaginative ideas.
As for her future, Aria has big dreams of becoming a paleontologist and a writer, with plans to code games on the side. Learning to code, she says, can help her “write some things in coding languages” as part of her work.
Aria’s journey is a testament to the power of coding to inspire and empower young minds, opening doors to creativity, future opportunities, and endless possibilities.
Mentor Spotlight: Jared Hopland
For the second year, Jared Hopland is volunteering as a mentor with our Dealey Coding Club. A Senior Consultant at Valent Partners, Jared brings his years of engineering experience to support 3rd to 8th grade students learning computer science. We’re lucky to have him on the Bold Idea team!
What have you learned or gained from being a Bold Idea mentor? Allowing kids to be creative with their projects is important to making sure they stay excited about the courses they're doing. If a kid is getting sidetracked, just pointing them back to the course and trying to go step-by-step has rarely worked, but trying to come up with interesting things they can do during the creative project with the skills they're learning now can help them get more motivated.
What is your most memorable mentoring moment? During the demo day, some of the kids would be trying to make updates to their code during their demo because their classmates would throw out suggestions. It shows that they could understand their own program enough to make changes on the spot and they were excited to have their classmates involved in the process.
How did you originally become interested in technology and programming? I did a mechanical engineering co-op where I happened to sit near someone who coded programs tracking production progress. He gave me some tutorials to work through to show I could learn coding, and then started to give me some projects that he hadn't had the time to get to.
What did you study in college? Mechanical Engineering
Is there anything you wish you could tell your younger self about coding? It's not as daunting as it seems!
What is it about Bold Idea's mission that really connects with you? I think being introduced to coding at a young age can make it feel more attainable as a career option. It also helps kids learn to break down complex things into smaller, more understandable chunks so they can plan better if they're starting a new project or understand where root problems are coming from if they're working on something existing. That skill can be used for a lot of things outside of coding too
Meet Jeremiah: A 3rd Grader Discovering the World of Coding!
Jeremiah, an 8-year-old student from Charles Rice Elementary, is in his first year with Bold Idea’s Coding Club—and he’s loving every minute of it! Jeremiah’s favorite color is rainbow, and just like his colorful personality, he brings a bright enthusiasm to his coding projects.
When asked if computer coding is fun, Jeremiah gives a resounding "Yes!" He enjoys learning new ways to code and especially loves working with his friends on projects. “We learn different methods to make the Scratch cat,” Jeremiah says, referring to the popular programming tool, Scratch, where young coders can create their own interactive stories and games.
Jeremiah joined the Coding Club to expand his knowledge and learn how to bring his own ideas to life. He’s fascinated by the endless possibilities coding offers, like creating characters, art, and entire virtual worlds. “I want to make more characters, more art, more people, and more everything,” he shares with excitement.
Working with his mentor, Mayuri, is one of the highlights of Coding Club for Jeremiah. He appreciates her careful attention and guidance. “When I finish something, she checks it to make sure I didn’t miss something. She’s nice and helps everybody who needs help,” he says.
When it comes to encouraging other students to try coding, Jeremiah’s advice is simple: “When you learn more coding, it’s a good thing for everybody, and the mentors help us with anything we get stuck on.”
Although Jeremiah dreams of becoming a football coach when he grows up, he believes that the problem-solving skills and creativity he’s learning through coding will help him in whatever path he chooses. “When I learn something on Scratch, it could help me be a football coach or player,” he says confidently.
Jeremiah is just one of many young students discovering the joy and creativity of coding, thanks to programs like Bold Idea’s Coding Club. We’re excited to see all that he’ll continue to create!
Mentor Spotlight: Phoenix Shane
Phoenix Shane is a long-time Bold Idea volunteer, currently serving as a mentor with our Coding Club at Todd Middle School. We are grateful that Phoenix is part of our Bold Idea team!
What have you learned or gained from being a Bold Idea mentor?
I have learned so much about working with youth than I would ever have had the opportunity to do without Bold Idea. I have met some of the most amazing people, both students and mentors, that I will never forget. I have gained so many wonderful memories and experiences that will forever enrich my life.
What is your most memorable mentoring moment?
Wow, so hard to pick just one! The entire experience has been a series of wonderful moments, but I think my favorite part has always been watching the kids just light up when they talk about or show the work that they have accomplished or even something as simple as a piece of tricky code that they figured out in that days session. There is little more as heartwarming being a part in their joy!
How did you originally become interested in technology and programming?
My dad is a computer programmer and I was building my first computers at a very young age. Later, when the internet became a thing, I began teaching myself how to build my first websites on platforms like AngelFire. I have always had a passion for computers and coding and went on to teach myself SQL and get my first tech job as a Jr. Software Developer managing databases.
What did you study in college?
I received my Associates degree in Arts and Sciences focusing on linguistics and anthropology in 2007. I have continued that path to get my Bachelors next year. The fact that I have made a career out of computer science despite my college experience is a testament that anyone can learn and do these jobs, all it takes is dedication and the right mindset.
Is there anything you wish you could tell your younger self about coding?
I think I would just remind myself not to stop with any one thing. To take what I have learned and either learn something entirely new or continue to learn what I can to further my experience in the areas I already know. Tech is forever changing and expanding and doing this would have helped me into a career much sooner.
What is it about Bold Idea's mission that really connects with you?
Hands down it is the enrichment of our younger generations. There is nothing like seeing this happen firsthand, and I wouldn't trade that for anything!
Mentor Spotlight: Mayuri Prasad
Mayuri is a first-year mentor with Bold Idea’s Coding Clubs program. A technology consultant at Pariveda, she serves weekly at the Club hosted at Charles Rice Learning Center in South Dallas.
What have you learned or gained from being a Bold Idea mentor?
It's just been great to hang out with the kids. They are so curious about learning and are constantly surprising me with what they can do. Letting them loose on Scratch during the first few sessions actually taught me a lot. I feel like when you're an adult you have certain rules in your head about the steps and methods you should use to learn something new, but the kids don't have those mental restrictions at all. By going wild and exploring the Scratch pages however they wanted, they were able to discover things about Scratch that even I didn't know (like how to record their own voice clips to use in their animations).
What is your most memorable mentoring moment so far?
I recently helped one student out with a debugging exercise where you had to make the Scratch cat spin around, and the way his face lit up when he was able to do it made my day. That satisfaction when you finally squash a bug as a programmer is unmatched :)
How did you originally become interested in technology and programming?
I attended a computer science summer camp at UT Austin the summer of my junior year in high school. My group made a Stranger Things themed light show for our final project, which helped me see how programming could be used to make creative projects and art.
What did you study in college?
I studied computer science in college. The college I went to really prioritized giving students hands-on coding experience, and that really served me when I started my career.
Is there anything you wish you could tell your younger self about coding?
Ask for help when you don’t know things. I have wasted countless hours of my life on code issues that could have been resolved in minutes if I had just swallowed my pride and asked someone for help. It's also a great way to make friends. Sometimes everyone else is having trouble too…best way to bond is over shared struggles!
What is it about Bold Idea's mission that really connects with you?
Learn by doing! Technology is such a vast discipline that it's impossible to learn every language, framework, cloud infrastructure, etc. The only way to keep up is by jumping into the unknown and trying things out!
2024 Annual Celebration - Photos
Photos from our 2024 Annual Celebration, held September 18, 2024 at Hickory Street Annex.
Bold Idea Celebrates Eighth Annual Event, Announces Pariveda Solutions as Inaugural "Corporate Partner of the Year"
Dallas, Texas – September 19, 2024 – Bold Idea, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering computer science skills and confidence in students, celebrated its eighth annual event last night with the exciting announcement of Pariveda Solutions as the first-ever recipient of the "Corporate Partner of the Year" award.
"For over seven years, Pariveda has been instrumental to the success of our after-school Coding Clubs program in Dallas ISD," said Robyn Brown, CEO & Founder of Bold Idea. "Given their consistent financial, volunteer, and consulting support, it was an easy decision for Bold Idea’s leadership team to select Pariveda as our inaugural Corporate Partner of the Year. All students deserve access to quality computer science education and mentoring. Together with Pariveda and our other corporate partners, we are making that vision a reality for hundreds of young students in the Dallas community.”
“I am so proud of our partnership with Bold Idea,” said Susan Paul, Chief People Officer at Pariveda. “Since we first began working alongside of this organization, I’ve had the joy and privilege of witnessing hundreds of kids learn new computer science and coding skills – skills that will benefit them for the rest of their careers. Their mission truly changes lives.”
Pariveda's commitment to Bold Idea is evident through its significant contributions:
Longstanding partnership: A corporate partner since 2018, with 106 volunteers contributing their time since 2017, including 8 volunteers this school year alone.
Financial support: An annual fundraising campaign that raised over $60,000 in recent years.
Skill-based volunteering: In addition to mentoring, pro-bono volunteers designed the digital badges that students earn in the Coding Clubs program.
Employee-driven support: Pariveda's support is grassroots and driven by its employees with leadership backing, showcasing their strong company culture for community support.
Sean Blonien, a Pariveda alum, has been a Bold Idea volunteer since Fall 2020. He shared his experience, "I think STEM education is still radically low compared to what our economy and society demands... The fully dedicated 1-1 guidance with the students really gives them a leg up as most of the time they don’t have that support in their class work."
Blonien also highlighted the joy of witnessing students' enthusiasm for coding, recalling a memorable experience mentoring a student named Diego who not only learned to code but even learned how to build a website for his father’s auto business, "It was so rewarding to see all of his creative energy come forth when ideating his website."
Educational Partners Fueling the Mission
The event also highlighted the invaluable contributions of educational partners like Lauren Ruffner from Credera, who has been a dedicated Coding Club mentor for three years.
"One of the biggest benefits I’ve witnessed is the genuine excitement and sense of accomplishment students experience when they see their projects come to life,” said Ruffner. She fondly remembers watching students create games in Scratch and the joy they felt sharing their creations with their peers. “It not only boosts their confidence but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration.”
Ruffner's dedication, even during challenging times like the shift to remote mentoring during Covid, underscores the commitment of Bold Idea’s volunteers and partners in providing quality computer science education.
Teacher's Perspective
Gerardo Ramirez, a 2nd-grade teacher at William Lipscomb Elementary and Bold Idea club liaison, shared his perspective on the program's impact. "I think that coding skills and logical thinking are a must-teach to new generations," Ramirez stated. He emphasized the sense of community and excitement the program fosters, noting that "for many of my kiddos, it is the highlight of their week and are always asking me to have more sessions."
Ramirez encouraged the greater community to recognize Bold Idea’s role in helping students explore their interests and develop critical thinking skills, which are valuable in all areas of their curriculum.
Bold Idea’s annual celebration underscored the power of partnerships in expanding access to quality computer science education and empowering the next generation of tech innovators.
About Bold Idea
Bold Idea is a Dallas-based nonprofit that creates equitable access to computer science education in under-resourced communities. Since 2015, Bold Idea has partnered with Dallas ISD and North Texas companies to bring quality computer science education to under-resourced schools. Bold Idea envisions a world where every student has an unobstructed path to a fulfilling career in technology. For more information on Bold Idea, visit: boldidea.org.
Bold Idea Receives Motorola Solutions Foundation Grant
Dallas, TX - August 29, 2024 - Bold Idea, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science education, today announced it has received a grant for $30,000 USD from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions.
Through this grant, Bold Idea will deliver volunteer-led afterschool Coding Clubs offered at multiple Dallas public schools, local community centers, and Dallas College campuses for over 250 Dallas-area students in 3rd to 12th grades. For two hours a week, our volunteers lead their team of students through 28 mentor-guided learning sessions wherein students work on hands-on coding projects that prioritize development in computer science and digital literacy skills, as well as critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.
“Bold Idea is thrilled to have received a grant for $30,000 from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions. Through the grant, we will create equity in computer science education and increase participation by underserved populations, including girls and Black and Latinx students in 3rd through 12th grade.”
In a technology-focused world, few academic subjects offer more potential for impact and innovation than computer science; nonetheless, disparities in access to computer science education continue to persist in 2024. Bold Idea addresses this digital opportunity gap in Dallas public schools through its proven ideaSpark Coding Clubs program, which combines project-based learning in computer science with mentoring from technology professionals.
The Motorola Solutions Foundation, which has donated more than $100 million over the past 10 years, focuses its giving on three key areas: first responder programming, technology and engineering education and programs that blend the two. The Foundation has a long-standing commitment to supporting programs that benefit underrepresented and underserved populations and aims to partner with organizations that align to its values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion.
"Every day Bold Idea makes a meaningful difference within the community, and the Motorola Solutions Foundation is honored to partner with them as they continue to expand their impact," said Karem Pérez, vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and executive director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. "We are incredibly proud of Bold Idea, the programs they have brought to life and the individuals they have positively affected.”
For additional information on the Motorola Solutions Foundation grants program, visit: motorolasolutions.com/foundation-grant-partner.
For more information on Bold Idea please visit: boldidea.org.
About Bold Idea
Bold Idea is a Dallas-based nonprofit that creates equitable access to computer science education in under-resourced communities. Since 2015, Bold Idea has partnered with Dallas ISD and North Texas companies to bring quality computer science education to under-resourced schools. Bold Idea envisions a world where every student has an unobstructed path to a fulfilling career in technology. For more information on Bold Idea, visit: boldidea.org.
About the Motorola Solutions Foundation
As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation partners with organizations around the world to create safer cities and equitable, thriving communities. We focus on giving back through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives. Our strategic grants program supports organizations that offer first responder programming and technology and engineering education, and align to our values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion. The Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company is solving for safer communities. For more information on the Foundation, visit: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation
Bold Idea Alumni Excel in College
Zion in 2016 at our first Demo Day
Zion in 2024 at SMU
Zion was ten when she joined a Bold Idea Coding Club and felt her first spark of interest in computer science.
Over the years, she coded many projects with Bold Idea, including a mobile app about bullying prevention, growing in her confidence and determination to pursue a degree in computer science.
Eight years later, Zion has wrapped up her Freshman year at Southern Methodist University as a CS major.
"My Freshman year was a great start to my college career," she said. "During the first semester, it did take a couple of months to fully adjust from high school, but once I did I began to perform better in my classes. I learned how to manage my time and study effectively, which helped me reach my goal of maintaining an A average both semesters.
"I also was able to get involved on campus, obtaining the position of Public Relations Chair for two organizations - Association of Black Students and National Society of Black Engineers. Overall, I loved my first year at SMU, and I can't wait to go back in the fall."
Zion will join Bold Idea once again in the fall - this time as a volunteer mentor, supporting young coders who were her age when she started her CS journey.
Student: Evan, rising Junior at BYU, Computer Science major, machine learning emphasis
What are your summer plans? “This summer I'm looking forward to my internship as a software engineer with a startup in Utah. I'm getting to work a ton with JavaScript, which is the first programming language I ever learned! Even though I've used JavaScript a lot, I'm still learning new things every day! I'm also interested in entrepreneurship, so it'll be cool to work for a small company where I can see how they grow and evolve. Other than work, I'm excited for warmer weather and outdoor adventures, time to try out some new recipes, and the opportunity to work on some fun coding side projects.”
How was the past year? “This past school year was hard but also very rewarding! In addition to general computer science classes, I got to take a few classes about machine learning. I knew I liked programming, but I also found that I enjoyed math too. Machine learning felt like a great way to combine my interests! I also started a year-long entrepreneurship program last semester where me and a team are starting a business together. It's a ton of work, but it's so amazing to create something that makes people's lives better!”
Student: Anjali, rising Senior at UT Austin, Electrical and Computer Engineering major, specializing in signal processing and communication systems
What are your summer plans? “I will be interning as a chip validation engineer at Texas Instruments in Dallas, TX. I also plan to meet my goal of reading 20 books and practicing the violin daily.”
How was the past year of school? “It had its difficult moments but extremely rewarding. I initially did not know what I was interested in within this field, but after taking a signal processing lab this class this year, I have finally found what interests me. This was also the first year that I was an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for both semesters, and it was gratifying to be able to mentor and support students. I believe this past year saw a lot of personal growth, and I am looking forward to my final year as an undergraduate at UT!”
Student: Ascension, rising Senior at UT Dallas, Business Admin major
Summer plans: Digital Intern at Giant Noise
How was the past year? “Very fun, but it makes me nervous and excited that this upcoming year is my final year.”
Student: Makayla, rising Senior at UT Austin, Psychology major with minors in Government and Media and Entertainment Industries. She wants to pursue a career in the music industry.
“I dream of blending my love of music with my passion for social impact and advocating for the Black community. I’m on the lookout for summer internships in Dallas and also looking forward to spending some quality time with family and friends. Plus, I’m gearing up for an exciting fall 2024 semester in Los Angeles, California.”
Student: Elias, graduating Senior at Adamson High School (Dallas ISD)
College plans: UNT Denton, Cybersecurity major
What are your college plans? “The one thing that I am looking forward to the most this summer is my paid internship with IBM. Last year, I completed the intro internship with them and this year, I was chosen to be in the second level of the internship (it is kind of like a little promotion; I now will get to work more hands on with IBM employees and learn new skills directly from them).”
How was the past year? “This past year, also my last year in high school, was amazing. For it being the last year, yes I did have a lot of things to worry about because I am graduating and all, but overall, my experience has been great. I have made it this far with everyone and I am thankful for the support. Can't wait to see what comes next.”
Student: Jessica, graduating Senior at Wylie High School (Wylie ISD)
College plans: Texas State University, Computer Science major
What are your summer plans? “A chance to take a breather and relish on all I’ve done so far, but I also want to try and get ahead in some of the classes I’ll be taking in the fall to get an understanding of what the next four years of my life will look like!”
How was the past year? “This past year was very reflective and unexpectedly rigorous. I was faced less with deadlines for assignments and instead deadlines for what defined what the rest of my life would be. In a way it was more stressful than having to write 5 page essays and it was funny because I couldn’t differentiate excitement from nervousness. Nonetheless, I feel like this year was really a chance to say “Okay, I’m about to start a new chapter of my life. What do I want that to look like? What can I do to get there?” building my future in a way. The days leading up to graduation have been bittersweet, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt more ready for anything!”
Student: Andrea, graduating Senior at TAG Magnet School (Dallas ISD)
College plans: Brown University, Environmental Engineering major
What are your summer plans? “I have a mix of working to save money, going on new outings with friends, reading books off my reading list, and possibly learning a new skill! Very excited for what's to come :)”
What are you looking forward to next year? “One of my bigger goals for college is to try out many of the clubs I'm interested in; this includes planner-decorating, joining a string ensemble, seeing the QuestBridge network, and connecting with nonprofits in the Providence area.”
Meet Pernell: Coding Is His Dream Job
Last semester, I met a remarkably bright student named Pernell Hale, a 4th-grader at Mark Twain School for the Talented and Gifted in southern Dallas. His enthusiasm for the Bold Idea courses was infectious, and his mentors commented on his ability to tackle any coding challenge with a determined mindset.
Before joining Bold Idea's after-school Coding Clubs program, Pernell had dabbled in coding using MIT’s Scratch, a visual programming language where students click and drag blocks of code. His goal was always to see how complex he could make his coding projects.
With his past experience, Pernell’s mentors knew he could take on a bigger challenge: Website development, a first among his Coding Club peers. Recently, after months of hard work, he completed his first website project for a company of his own creation - the ‘Shoot for the Stars Travel Agency’.
“When I started website coding it was hard and confusing, but the more I learned, the easier it got,” he said with confidence. “Working with the mentors is fun, and we can talk it out. It’s easy to go through, because they’ve taught me a lot.”
It’s clear that he’s proud of what he created and excited to amaze others with his new skills in HTML, CSS and Javascript coding.
Pernell added that he would tell any other 4th grader that coding is really fun, and they should try it out. At just 10-years old, he’s on a set path to a future in computer science.
“Coding is my dream job!” he said. “I love it!”
Bold Idea exists for students like Pernell and his Coding Club peers, creating access to computer science and changing their beliefs about what they can accomplish.
Bold Idea Creates Vision for Unobstructed Computer Science Access
Bold Idea’s Board and staff have recently crafted a new vision statement:
A world where every student has an unobstructed path to access computer science education and pursue fulfilling careers in technology.
The ‘unobstructed path’ phrase is particularly important. Computer science skills are critical to succeed in today’s economy, but too many students – especially those from diverse backgrounds and experiences – are excluded from computer science. Not enough students in Dallas ISD have the opportunity to learn computer science skills - and it’s setting them behind.
Many obstacles block access to computer science education for students in historically underserved communities. They include:
School constraints. Students may attend a school that doesn’t have the budget to offer computer science courses or provide qualified and trained teachers.
Technology access. They may lack access to a computer or broadband Internet access at home.
Geographic and financial barriers. Many out-of-school coding activities exist but they are located in regions of north Texas that are far out of reach for students in the southern sector of Dallas - plus, they’re far too expensive.
Adult support. They could also lack the adult support, mentors, and technology role models.
Bold Idea is committed to removing the barriers that prevent many students in Dallas from accessing this valuable learning. We will continue to address this opportunity gap in the coming years by expanding access to computer science in under-resourced communities.
Our ideaSpark Coding Clubs program closes the opportunity gap for students in Dallas. In operation for seven years, the program combines hands-on learning in computer science with mentoring from industry professionals. We remove the financial barriers that prevent students from taking advantage of out-of-school opportunities to learn computer science skills, which are more accessible to students in high-income parts of north Texas. With virtual learning and by partnering with a student's school, we remove the geographic barrier to participation.
Together with our corporate and community partners, Bold Idea is breaking down every barrier, erasing every limitation, and creating a level playing field that empowers all young minds to embrace the transformative power of an education in computer science. We are dedicated to fostering a world where the doors to computer science education and tech careers swing open wide for every student, paving the way for a more inclusive, equitable, and innovative tomorrow.
Bold Idea Selects Two North Texas Students for Its Inaugural Bold & Bright Award
We at Bold Idea have selected two north Texas students to receive its inaugural Bold & Bright Award - Elias Land of Adamson High School in Dallas and Jessica Obonna of Wylie High School in Wylie. The students will be recognized at Bold Idea’s Annual Celebration on June 14 at OrderMyGear in Dallas.
The new annual award recognizes outstanding Bold Idea students who have demonstrated advanced computer science skills, built creative coding projects, and have set goals to pursue careers and college fields of study in computer science. The recognition also highlights Bold Idea’s commitment to close the computer science opportunity gap for north Texas students. As the mastery of computer science becomes increasingly critical for college and career success, both girls and Black and Latinx students have historically been underrepresented in STEM fields and computer science classrooms.
“Supporting students like Elias and Jessica is one step in the right direction towards addressing these issues,” said Robyn Brown, Bold Idea CEO and Founder. “All students deserve the opportunity to learn computer science and create their bold ideas using technology. We believe this award will provide opportunities these students need to succeed in their future computer science endeavors.”
The students, both rising high school seniors, have participated in Bold Idea’s ideaSpark Coding Clubs program since middle school and have their sights set on careers in technology.
“My goal is to one day use the skills I’ve learned through my Bold Idea journey and as I progress through computer science to make a positive impact,” said Jessica Obonna. “I’d like to be more independent with my projects next year and start to advance my knowledge of coding. I would also like to narrow down my job search and truly figure out what path I want to take with computer science and start to work towards that goal at full speed.”
“My dream job is to work for law enforcement, possibly even the FBI, as a cybersecurity agent/analyst,” said Elias Land. “Next year, if possible, I would like to develop coding skills that will develop me in my future journey to learn cybersecurity. If not, then I would love to learn how I can take the web design skills that I already have to the next level.”
Award benefits:
As Bold & Bright Award recipients, the students will receive further college and career readiness opportunities. They include:
Personalized, 1:1 mentoring their senior year of high school to give additional coding skill development and assist with college readiness
A trip to NASA to job shadow an engineer in summer 2023
A letter of recommendation for their college applications
A summer 2024 internship with a local tech company upon the completion of their senior year of high school
The 2023 Bold & Bright Award is sponsored by Roderick and Jill Burns of Dallas and IF/THEN®, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies. IF/THEN® is a national initiative designed to activate a culture shift among young girls to open their eyes to STEM careers.
The Annual Celebration is open to the public and tickets may be reserved HERE
Demo Day 2023
Demo Day is an event Bold Idea holds annually to showcase student projects with family, mentors, and community members. While participating in Demo Day events, Bold Idea students build public speaking and communication skills through presenting their projects to the public. Afterwards, all students earn the Demo Day badge in their course and a certificate of achievement.
-Lorene Sugars- Bold Idea Program Manager
Our Annual Demo Day took place May 20th at W. H. Adamson High school. Our students presented their projects which varied from websites to fully functional online games. We want to thank all of our Bold Idea parents and volunteers for coming to support our students in their coding journey. Below are links to some of our student projects that were presented.
Student Participants
Rory -All About Games
Elizabeth - Space Fighter
Stina - Space Shooter
Andrea - Portfolio
Dyanne - Dream Cookies
Levi - Cat Scratch Game
Homero - A Complete Guide to Doors
Jaxon - Retro Bear Game
Solomon - The Quest of the Seven
D'Avignon - Space Maze
Alaya - Travel Site
Diego - Guitar Riffs
We are so proud of our student’s accomplishments and cannot wait to see what they have in store for us next year. If you would like to enroll your child into our summer camps and have an opportunity to participate in a future Demo Day Register Here.
-Special thanks to Central Market for their sponsorship.
Mentor Spotlight: February 2023
How did you find out about Bold Idea?
During my freshman year of college, I attended a Bold Idea seminar hosted by Lorene Sugars, where she discussed the organization’s mission and the impact it has made on its community. I was amazed to know that Bold Idea worked with the middle school I went to back in Oak Cliff! I wished I had those resources and guidance when I attended Rosemont Upper Middle School, and I knew in that moment that I had to give back to my community when I found the opportunity in doing so.
2.) Why did you sign up to be a mentor?
I am a Computer Science senior with a minor in Non-Profit Leadership Studies. Since the beginning of college, I knew I wanted to do something rewarding with my career path. I wanted to give mentoring a try through Bold Idea as it connected two of my concentrations, knowledge in computer science and non-profit organizations, and applied it to my own community in Dallas. After my first virtual session with two middle school students in 2021, I fell in love with the mentorship aspect of the program, and it made me realize that teaching/mentoring was a passion that I never knew about until I gave Bold Idea a try. Now, after more than a year of volunteering with Bold Idea, I have changed my career trajectory towards teaching computer science in the near future, and I am now a 2023 Corps Member for Teach For America! If it weren’t for my experience with Bold Idea, I would not be where I am right now, I am truly thankful for the experience and leadership skills I have gained through this organization.
3.) What is your favorite part of being a Bold Idea mentor?
My favorite part of being a Bold Idea mentor is the bond that can be created with the students and the impact that can be made through the guidance provided to the students. Although I only see my students for two hours every week, a lot of material is covered for their chosen introductory course, such as website design or game development. And when they follow along with the lessons or seek your assistance in a concept they are stuck on, it is truly a rewarding experience to help them understand the world of computer science and technology. You get to connect with these students at a deeper level and allow them to feel comfortable with the material through the mentorship that Bold Idea has created.
4.) What impact have you noticed coding clubs have had on the students in our program?
Many of these students come from schools that do not offer technological courses or computer science resources for them to know if they’d be interested in that field. Through Bold Idea’s after-school program, kids are offered the opportunity to learn coding and website design while an industry professional assists them through the entire process, if needed. Because of this, the biggest impact I’ve seen Bold Idea have on their students is the growing passion towards computer science – they’re eager to code, design, and create something on their own that they couldn’t do before joining Bold Idea’s classes. And since Bold Idea makes it so easy for them to start coding without previous knowledge, they continue to come back and enhance their skillsets even more!
5.) Why should other people sign up to mentor Bold Idea students?
Bold Idea makes it easy for individuals to volunteer through various after-school clubs, both in-person and virtually! Most clubs are also within the two-hour range every week, allowing their volunteers to properly fit the organization within their busy schedule. If you are interested in helping kids achieve their fullest potential, Bold Idea is the right fit for you. And if you have little to no knowledge with coding, Bold Idea gives you enough resources to catch up with the students and assist then whenever it is needed!
6.) Is there anything else you'd like to share about your experience as a Bold Idea mentor?
Funny enough, I had no experience in developing websites as my main focus in college was C++. Before I started my first session with my students, I went through the guide that I would be helping them with, taking the course on my own, and learning HTML and CSS. I did not realize it was such a great experience to develop websites, that I was even more eager to help my students even more! So, to anyone who is interested in volunteering but is afraid they won’t be able to be a big help to these students, do not worry! Volunteering for this organization has not been difficult at all – rather, it has been rewarding and even beneficial as a volunteer.
Student Stories : Meet the Perry Siblings!
Our IdeaSpark Coding Clubs have become a family tradition for the four students in the Perry family. Bold Idea has become an essential aspect of their education – one they are able to receive thanks to our financial aid and laptop donation programs. They each shared why they enjoy what they are learning in Bold Idea, as well as how it will help them pursue their future goals.
Christian Perry, a 10th grader in our Kepler Coding Club, has been coding for about six years, but joined Bold Idea in the summer of 2022. Bold Idea gives him the opportunity to work on developing his coding skills in a challenging yet low-risk environment. He loves that he can work independently and ask specific questions to his mentors if he gets stuck or doesn't understand one of the concepts. He has a fairly strong foundation in coding, and he is building upon those foundational skills as he learns new skills. He is currently in the engineering pathway at his high school, and is looking forward to pursuing a career in it.
Solomon Perry, a 7th grader in Perseverance Coding Club, began coding in Bold Idea’s summer Coding Camps in 2022. He says, "I really enjoy coding. My favorite parts are creating things true or false and making things connect." Since joining Bold Idea’s programs, he has learned how to make and use functions, load images, and make icons react on screen to keyboard controls. His current creative project is a program with a spaceship, including upgrades, powerups, and asteroids. Bold Idea has inspired his entrepreneurial spirit; Solomon is in the process of starting his own business, using the skills he has learned so far to build a website for his startup.
Jaxon Perry, a 5th grader in Voyager Coding Club, also began coding in Bold Idea’s summer coding camps this year. He said, "Coding is really interesting and engaging. I like to work in small groups or one on one with the mentors. I'm creating a city with a bear on the loose. My program will guide the bear through the city back to safety!” As a young coder, he hopes to inspire his peers, saying, “I think other kids should explore coding to see if they will like it. I think they will like it, and they will learn new skills too."
The youngest of the Perry siblings, Emerson, a 3rd grader in Voyager Coding Club, has followed in her brothers’ footsteps this Fall. She said, "Coding is so much fun!" Her favorite project is called "It's Alive." She enjoyed the project because she got to create characters and bring them to life. She has enjoyed learning how to apply time limits in her code to control the speed of different actions-to make them speed up or go slowly. Emerson has really taken to coding, having watched her three older brothers participate in Bold Idea’s programs. Now that she has become a young coder, she is giving 100% of her effort to her projects.
We cannot wait to see what the future holds for Christian, Solomon, Jaxon, and Emerson!
Mentor Spotlight: Shaquille Taylor (Accenture Information Technology)
We are so grateful to all the incredible mentors that teach our students their coding skills during our camps. They all volunteer their own personal time to ensure that our students get the high quality coding knowledge that they deserve.
This summer we're highlighting one of our mentors, Shaquille Taylor, who is extremely dedicated to our students. In fact, she has volunteered over 30 hours of her time to teach the students in our IdeaSpark Coding Camps! Shaquille is a Software Engineer with Accenture. Check out our interview with her below:
Bold Idea (BI): Hi Shaquille! Let's get started with a fun fact. One fun fact about yourself is...?
Shaquille: My birthday is on Valentine's Day.
BI: How did you get involved with Bold Idea?
Shaquille: A colleague posted about it on LinkedIn and I love to code so I decided to share my time volunteering.
BI: What have you learned or gained from being a mentor?
Shaquille: I've learned valuable teaching/mentoring skills, like how to explain something to students of different ages in a way they understand and helping them work through problems on their own vs just giving the answer.
BI: What is your most memorable mentoring moment so far?
Shaquille: Watching the students open up. The students were hesitant to talk at first until I got them to engage more and ask more questions. I mentor two different groups of students (elementary age and middle/high school) and watching them gain understanding of the code and get excited about their projects is amazing.
BI: How did you become interested in technology and programming?
Shaquille: 4 years ago I was introduced to technology as a career option through a veterans non profit organization. Since then I've developed a passion for coding and also learning new tech skills.
BI: What did you study in college?
Shaquille: I'm enrolled in the Information Technology Administration program right now (Junior year) for my bachelor's degree with a concentration that combines Application Development and Cyber Security.
BI: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Shaquille: Building and designing websites, spending time with my daughter, binge watching tv shows.
BI: Is there anything you wish you could tell your younger self about coding?
Shaquille: Start early and practice often!
BI: What is it about Bold Idea's mission that really connects with you?
Shaquille: Introducing students to Computer Science and coding, regardless of income because I did not have that growing up and I wish I did. The students being introduced to these skills early sets them up to have careers in Computer Science. This allows students in underrepresented groups to have access to information technology in a way they probably would not have access. My niece is in one of the camps I mentor and she loves it.
Join us in thanking Shaquille for all that she does for Bold Idea!
Meet Elias - Future Computer Science Grad
Elias Land, a 10th-grade student W.H. Adamson High School in Dallas, has been part of Bold Idea’s Coding Clubs for five years. He also participates in the P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) at Adamson.
We connected with Elias recently to understand what keeps him coming back to Bold Idea every year and his plans after high school.
Bold Idea: You joined Bold Idea in the 6th grade and now as a 10th grader, you’re still learning to code with Bold Idea each week. What has kept you involved?
Elias: I have always had a passion for computer science. Being able to be a part of Bold Idea allowed me to expand my knowledge about coding, and I kept coming back to do so. I guess the thing that kept me involved was the fact that I was looking forward to creating my own big project (which I am working on this year).
How has Bold Idea changed your confidence and where do you see myself after high school?
Bold Idea has taught me a lot about computer science. Because of it, I believe in myself a lot more about how I can create anything I can think of using HTML, CSS, etc. After high school, I see myself taking on an internship that involves computer science. I want to go to college and study to get a master's degree in computer science (or even get a doctorate for it). I am also interested in criminology and criminal justice, so I want to see if I can get degrees in both and maybe in the future, get a job that incorporates both.
What have you learned or gained from participating in Bold Idea?
Over the past five years that I have been with Bold Idea, I have learned the basic and some advanced skills of HTML, CSS, and a little bit of JavaScript.
What are you looking forward to the most in Coding Club next year?
If I am not able to finish everything that I want to create on my big project, I would want to work on it next year. But overall, I would also love to learn more skills and become advanced in HTML, CSS, and other coding languages if Bold Idea has any to offer.
What is the big project you are working on?
The project I am working on is the creative project, which is a part of the Coding Club. Since I have completed the guided practices and other intro lessons, I am now able to create my own creative project of my own choice. This year I am creating a website that is all about our solar system. So far, it's a great, fun experience.
Are you taking any computer programming or IT courses right now?
In P-TECH, I am also a high school student and a college student, so I am taking classes in Adamson and with Dallas College. There are two different pathways, and I chose Software Development (the other pathway is Networking). This year, I am taking college courses, one each school semester. This semester, I have been taking a fine arts course which is Music Appreciation. Next school semester, I am taking an Introduction to Sociology course. It really won't be until my junior and senior year, I am able to actually go to the college and take courses that actually involve computer science. Junior year, I will be taking a course called "Programming Logic and Design" and "Java Programming". Senior year, I will be taking a course called "Advanced Java Programming" and "Project Management Software".
How can Bold Idea make your learning experience even better?
If there are any internships or events that I could speak at with team members from Bold Idea, I would love to participate in them if I do get the chance. I want to be more involved with this program and maybe someday, come back and be a mentor for incoming students.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
All I want to say is that being in Bold Idea was probably the best decision I've ever made. I have learned a lot from this program and I am grateful for everyone I have met throughout the years and all the knowledge that has been taught to me. I will stay a part of Bold Idea for as long as I can, as a student and as a mentor or guest speaker, if Bold Idea would have me.
2021 Volunteers of The Year
Bold Idea is excited to announce its Volunteers of the Year for the 2020-2021 program year - Kris Fawcett and John Bianchini.
When deciding on the recipients of this award, we always consider the volunteers who were crucial to our success for the year. Kris and John have gone above and beyond in their contributions to Bold Idea not only this year but the past few years. Their passion for computer science education, care for students, advocacy for Bold Idea, and flexibility to make changes and adapt on the fly make them indispensable to Bold Idea.
Outstanding Mentors: Online and At School
Kris leading demo presentations for virtual students in ideaSpark
Kris Fawcett, a technology professional working at Cardinal Financial, has served as a Mentor and Team Captain with the ideaSpark Coding Clubs since 2018 - both at The Mix Coworking Space and Samuell Grand Community Center. This year, he mentored online for both the fall and spring semesters. Clocking in this year with 175 cumulative volunteer hours, Kris is one of Bold Idea’s longest-serving volunteers. Students and fellow mentors have always had good things to say about Kris. He has an ability to connect with students and help them solve problems and make sure that mentors and students are ready to learn every week.
“Kris is very patient and encouraging. In every session, he made it a priority to solve every issue and answer every question possible. Even when there were times where we were all confused, Kris was able to get us out of any sticky situation we’d find ourselves in one way or another!”
John (far right) at MB Henderson Demo Day event in 2019.
John Bianchini, an IT professional at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, is a Mentor and a Team Captain at our Margaret B Henderson Elementary and Greiner Middle School ideaSpark Coding Clubs in Dallas ISD. John has been working with Bold Idea since 2019 and has been a strong force for Henderson and Greiner’s Coding Clubs’ growth and Bold Idea’s continued relationship with the Federal Reserve Bank. John is dedicated to making sure that all students at Henderson are able to access Bold Idea’s programs and get the most out of the learning experience.
“He has always been there for the kids, supporting and understanding to all the needs of the students. I also have learned from him that sometimes there is a hidden treasure under a child and I was able to see many of the students shine. Some of the students I would not have imagined that they were able to do the work but the kids were engaged and eager to learn. He is the best!!!!!”
Not only do mentors and teachers appreciate John, so do the students! Many mentors have shared how much the students enjoy seeing John each week. When John stepped down from serving as the Team Captain at Henderson Elementary this year, our teacher liaison conveyed that he had to reassure all of the returning students that John would still be around, because they feared not seeing him again.
John and Kris represent the two program branches - in-school and open-enrollment Coding Clubs - where volunteer mentors help students discover and build skills in computer science. Whether they are online, at a local community center, or an after-school club at their school, Bold Idea students get the chance to learn with amazing mentors like Kris and John.
Above and Beyond
Both Kris and John go above and beyond their duties as Mentors or Team Captains, showing their passion for computer science education and being advocates for Bold Idea students.
This past spring, Kris showed true dedication to Bold Idea’s programs, offering to jump to other Clubs that needed extra mentors. Halfway through the spring semester, he willingly took on a mentoring role with another Club and was mentoring twice a week! Through all of this, he still maintained a positive attitude and built relationships with the students in each of his groups.
Kris also has a mind towards supporting Bold Idea’s mission beyond mentoring. Thanks to his advocacy, we received a large number of refurbished laptops. allowing us to start our Laptop Donation Program. During the 2020-2021 program year, 26% of open-enrollment students received a laptop that allowed them to participate in Bold Idea’s programs from home.
John has been a strong advocate for Bold Idea’s programs with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, recruiting mentors and making sure that each student has what they need to succeed. This spring when we added Greiner Middle School to the Bank’s school support, he worked as a mentor with each mentoring team to ensure that both Clubs ran smoothly.
John and Kris both are volunteers and mentors who have gone above and beyond in their mentorship roles to ensure that our students and our programs are successful. We are fortunate to have them on our team.
Thank you, John and Kris!
She Belongs Here
Hear from Bold Idea mentors about their experiences as women in computer science careers.
Bold Idea is committed to contributing to a diverse future workforce, including more women in computer science. Bold Idea students learn that computer science can open so many doors for them in their careers and our mentors are an important part of that. Our mentors show students that anyone can be computer scientists and the women of Bold Idea especially show our students that women belong and can succeed in the technology field just as much as men.
In celebration of Women’s History Month - we interviewed a few Bold Idea mentors about their experiences as women in tech. Hear from Abigail, Caroline, and Allison about their career aspirations as young women, how they discovered technology and coding, and what they wish for the young women they mentor today through Bold Idea.
What first got you interested in coding and technology? When did you know this would be your career path?
Abigail: “My life partner got me interested in the tech field. I loved Graphic Design and he suggested I learn Web Design to become more competitive in the job market, he even bought me an online Web Development course to get me started. I don't think I even know this will be my career path now lol. I love design, and I love making websites beautiful but I always love trying new things so who knows how many career paths I'll jump around between.”
Caroline: “When I was in middle school, they offered a class that was an intro to HTML. I got to create all sorts of fun things. By the time I was in the 8th grade, we did science competitions that required us to make websites and fill the webpages with our research. It was a great way to combine my schoolwork with coding.”
Allison: “I first became interested in technology when I took a computer science class in high school. I remember initially being hesitant to sign up for the class because it was unlike anything I had done before, but when I got my first program up and running, the initial worries were replaced by excitement. I knew that this would be my career path when I realized just how ubiquitous technology is in our lives and how it has the power to impact the world. Having the opportunity to work on something that could drastically better people's lives is something that was appealing and knowing that those opportunities were potentially limitless really pushed me to pursue this field.”
Did you have any role models who inspired you to pursue a career in technology - real or fictional? If not, how would a role model or mentor have affected your career path? What do you see as the benefit of mentoring for the girls whom you work with in Bold Idea?
Abigail: “I suppose my life partner inspired me to pursue this career. I have a few mentors at my current job and they have been invaluable to my career. They've helped me settle in when I was new and nervous, they've helped me to figure out a trajectory for my career to ensure I'm happy with the work I'm doing, and they've helped me to feel more confident as a woman in a male-dominated field. I really hope to help the girls in Bold Idea feel more confident working in this field, and feel like they belong here just as much as the boys.”
Caroline: “I came from an engineering town, so technology as a career always seemed possible. I guess it took others believing in me and pushing me to try new things that made me pursue this career. I think if I had believed in myself and my intelligence sooner I could have done a lot more. I truly saw it as a plausible career in graduate school when I took an actual coding class. I think if we showed girls how their schoolwork and technology play off each other, they would see more career possibilities. It's important to believe in yourself and have those around you push you to be your best.”
Allison: “In college, I had a female professor for one of my hardest classes. I was struggling on an assignment, so I went to her office hours to ask some questions, and we eventually began talking about the course as a whole. I mentioned that I found the material to be really challenging and I worried that I wasn't understanding everything. She asked me to show me the notes I took in class and looked back at some assignments I had submitted earlier, and when she asked why I thought I was struggling, I mentioned that it seemed like everyone else "got it" more than I did. She responded that my notes were organized, my assignments clearly had a lot of thought and effort go into them, and she didn't seem to think that I was struggling with the material, but with confidence. I remember her saying that just because the person next to you raises their hand for every question or finishes a task faster, doesn't mean they understand it better than I do. This conversation gave me the push I needed to recognize my own abilities, and I am incredibly grateful for her encouragement and support.
I think a benefit of mentoring the girls I work with at Bold Idea is showing them that it is possible to be a woman in technology. I see a lot of myself in them, being nervous and excited about tackling challenging material. I hope that by seeing me, someone who is establishing a career in STEM, they see that a tricky bug or a confusing issue is something they can overcome.”
What is your hope for the next generation of young female technologists, especially the girls you mentor in Bold Idea?
Abigail: “I hope to see the next generation of women in tech push the field to be more inclusive, accessible, and understanding. Right now this field can really push employees past breaking points, and we burn out quickly (regardless of how much craft beer and table tennis we're given access to). I hope that more women in the field can put a stop to that and ensure employees are treated like people. Tech also has a lot of issues with making sure products work for women, people of color, and people with disabilities since they're much less represented in the field. If we get more women, POC, and people with disabilities in tech, it will make tech more accessible to all.”
Caroline: “I wish for the girls in the next generation to be better than me. I want them to be brave enough to try and humble enough to ask for help. I want them to use their creativity to solve problems. The only way we can see more women in technology is to support them and be a guide. I want the next generation to get better jobs than me, have more opportunities than me, and feel less like that have to be perfect to worthy of a seat at the table. The only way to do this is for us to be advocates and mentors to girls as they grow.”
Allison: “I hope that the next generation of young female technologists has a community and a support system full of empowered, strong, and smart women around them. Female friends I made while studying computer science in college, female managers at work, and colleagues who understand the unique perspectives that women have are so incredibly important and enable everyone -- not just women -- to solve complicated problems.“
Caroline is a Consultant at Microsoft and has been a Bold Idea mentor since 2018
Abigail is a Software Developer at TEKsystems and has been a Bold Idea mentor since 2020
Allison is a Software Consultant at Pariveda and has been a Bold Idea mentor since 2020
Want to help us give the next generation of women in tech the skills they need to succeed? Sign up to be a mentor with us!
Meet Bold Idea Mentor Kendra
Meet Kendra Andersen, a consultant at Pariveda Solutions and Bold Idea Mentor. Learn about how her teachers introduced her to science in High School and what she is doing to bring that same impact to Bold Idea students.
What have you learned or gained from being a Bold Idea Mentor?
I've really enjoyed being able to work with younger kids again! I enjoy being able to look at computer science through the fresh eyes of someone new to it again and trying to learn how to help them understand it better.
What is you most memorable mentoring moment?
I've enjoyed being able to help a team of students figure out how to work together! Sometimes different students have varying strengths or skill levels and figuring out how to combine them for a project they all enjoy is a fun puzzle to solve!
How did you become interested in technology and programming?
I had a high school teacher to got me interested in engineering as a field. She was a great mentor to me and encouraged me to try challenging projects! Over the course of college, I was introduced to programming through a number of my classes and several design projects.
What did you study in college?
Electrical Engineering
What are some of your favorite hobbies or past times?
I enjoy swimming, biking, and doing art in my free time!
Is there anything you wish you could tell your younger self about coding?
I wish I could tell myself to try out coding at a earlier point in my life. It always seemed like a boy's thing in middle school, but that does not have to be the case!
What is it about Bold Idea's mission that really connects with you?
I really enjoy getting to introduce students to computer science concepts in a more creative manner than what they might experience in a classroom setting!