Outreach

The Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing is committed to making computing a field that includes participation of individuals across the intersections of gender identification, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and disability status.

Programs - Fall and Spring Semester Outreach Programs

Creative Computing Program

The Creative Computing Program is an online enrichment program designed to provide experiences in computing concepts for all students in grades 4-8, including homeschoolers and those who have been historically underrepresented in computing. Students are taught by current UMD undergraduates in various computing majors. For more information contact us at i4c_k12@umd.edu

Grades 4-6 

Explore computer science and computational thinking by creating your own animation, story, and game development projects in the Creative Computing Program. Students will learn computer programming skills such as functions, loops, events and computational thinking skills such as debugging and testing while learning Drag & Drop programming. In addition, we will introduce other general computing concepts such as cybersafety and number theory.

Grades 6-8 

Advance your programming skills with Python. The Creative Computing Program gives students the opportunity to create geometric art designs and more advanced projects using Python. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced programmer, learning Python can enhance your understanding of variables, conditionals, input/output, and much more. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of computing concepts that help them prepare for future career paths while also strengthening their math, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

 

To request this program for your group of 10 or more students please complete this form: go.umd.edu/I4C_K12OutreachRequest

NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award

In collaboration with National Center for Women In Technology (NCWIT), the Maryland Affiliate Chapter, consisting of The University of Maryland-College Park, UMBC, and Loyola University Maryland partner together to recognize the best students for the prestigious NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC) for the Maryland region. 

We honor 9-12 grade students who identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary for their computing or tech related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. Our AiC recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, and tenacity in the face of barriers to access. To receive more information visit and create a profile at: https://www.aspirations.org/recognitions/AiCAward. Applications open September 1 each year. Email md-affiliate@aspirations.org. 

Technica

October 21-22 | Register: https://gotechnica.org/register

Technica is the world's largest all-women and nonbinary hackathon hosted annually at the University of Maryland. Over the duration of 24 hours, women and non-binary people are immersed in tech culture and encouraged to exercise their imagination to create interesting and innovative hacks.

Technica 2023's theme is “Create Your Reality” This year, we want to help all of our hackers rise to the next level of their journey through tech, whether that means tackling challenging new projects or writing your first line of code. We encourage you to be open-minded, be curious, and find your space in tech! Whether we serve as a push in the right direction, or as a place for you to explore your curiosities. Explore your untapped potential — the sky is the limit at Technica!

For more information contact us at hello@gotechnica.org or visit our website: https://gotechnica.org/

Girl Scouts Workshops

We are proud to present our workshops series for Girl Scouts to earn their Coding for Good, Cybersecurity, and Robotics badges while building “courage, confidence, and character.” 

Coding for Good and Cybersecurity badges may be earned through Virtual Girl Scout Computing Adventures, free private workshops through Zoom for troops with 10-15 Girl Scouts. Each badge takes around 1 hour at the Daisy, Brownie, and Junior levels; 1.5 hours/badge for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. To see which badges are available, visit: https://go.umd.edu/GSWorkshops. To request a virtual workshop for your troop fill out our interest form: https://bit.ly/VGSCA23

STEM/Robotics K-12 Outreach

Throughout the year, our Ambassadors take our curriculum on the road to visit local organizations and schools (ex. local schools) with a fun STEM activity. Activities last up to 2 hours. STEM options include LEGO Mindstorm Robots, cryptology activities and programming that provide an introduction to computing principles. If your group of 15 or more students are interested in learning more about these options, tell us more about your group and your interest by completing the Outreach Request form: https://go.umd.edu/I4C_K12OutreachRequest

Ignite Elementary Workshop with UMD

Elementary students are invited to participate with the University of Maryland's current Computer Science students for an interactive learning experience in computing, robotics, and cybersecurity! In previous years our undergraduate students have led workshops in topics such as Python Art, Robotic Challenge, and Cryptography. This event provides students with the opportunity to explore computing topics, and learn about additional resources to continue their learning. Audience: Current 3rd- 5th Graders. To request this program for your group of 15 or more students please complete this form: go.umd.edu/I4C_K12OutreachRequest

Cyber Girls Ambassadors

In partnership with WIT (the local professional Women in Technology), UMD Computer Science students go into the high schools to coach high school students to participate in the CyberPatriot competition through after school programs in local schools. This program is managed by the ACES Honors Program. To request this program for your group of students please complete this form: go.umd.edu/I4C_K12OutreachRequest

CompSciConnect Curriculum in a Box

Computer Science Connect “Curriculum-In-A-Box” is a series of hands-on curriculum modules, video lectures and other resources that will be available for free, online. The Curriculum-In-A-Box enables educators, parents, and universities interested in creating outreach programs to do so easily, with pre-packaged, pre-tested curriculum. This project is supported by the Association of Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education Special Projects Grant.

The Perspective - CS @UMD

Returning Fall 2024

The Iribe Initiative for Inclusion & Diversity in Computing & the Maryland Center for Women in Computing invite you to The Perspective - CS @UMD. This in person event is for all high school students, including those who identify as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latina/o/e/x, and Native American Indian. Students will be able to take a closer look at the University of Maryland's admissions process and program requirements, participate in programming workshops, and listen to a guest speaker. Students will hear from current computing students' perspectives about majoring in computing and student life at the University of Maryland.

For more information contact us (301) 405-7615 or i4c_k12@umd.edu

Rise Up 4 CS+ Program @UMD

Returning Fall 2024

Are you taking AP Computer Science A (AP CSA) and need to deepen your knowledge of the Java programming language? Are you taking AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) and need help with CSP concepts or a programming language? Join the Rise Up 4 CS+ program (RU4CS) at UMD. We accept new students on a rolling basis.

AP CSA Specific Program Benefits:

  • Full Practice Test Questions
  • Interactive Webinars on Saturdays Weekly

Program Benefits:

  • 1:1 On-Demand Tutoring for AP CSA & AP CSP
  • Social Activities, Guest Speakers & Workshops
  • Build a community of young women and non-binary students in computing with current UMD CS students

For more information contact us i4c_k12@umd.edu.

High School Computing Workshops at UMD

Returning Fall 2024

Our workshops series for ALL high school students has historically explored computing concepts in programming languages, cybersecurity, web design, data science, and careers. This springl we're providing a dynamic virtual experience for all high school students while engaging in discussions, exercises, and activities in real-world situations. These workshops will be in person at the Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering. Refreshments will be provided.

Past Workshop Series:

  • App Development I
  • App Development II
  • Cybersecurity
  • UI/UX + Web Dev I
  • UI/UX + Web Dev II
  • Python I
  • Python II

 *In-person on UMD-College Park campus at the Brendan Iribe Center 

For more information contact us (301) 405-7615 or i4c_k12@umd.edu

Slideshow:
Outreach

Girl Scout STEM Outreach

I4C Summer Academy

I4C Summer Academy

Applications will open in January 2024!

AI Summer Program

Applications for Summer 2024 will open January 2024

Target Participant: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th Graders

  • July 10 - July 21
  • Cost: $600

The AI summer program is a two-week long, computer programming and artificial intelligence (AI) non-residential program. Students will be given the opportunity to use artificial intelligence to address problems of a probabilistic and numeric nature. Participants will explore the field of AI through team projects, industry field trips, and presentations from guest speakers. There will also be opportunities to engage with faculty, staff and researchers who have been leaders in AI. Students will be exposed to a breadth of knowledge in the field with the goal of leveraging AI for social good. Accepted students will have to complete ~25 hours of  asychronous content prior to the start date.

For more information, visit https://inclusion.cs.umd.edu/outreach/ai4all

Cyber Defense Training Camp

Applications for Summer 2024 will open January 2024

Target Participant: Rising 11th and 12th Graders

  • June 25 - June 30
  • Cost: $1,250

Cyber Defense Training Camp is an intermediate-level (some technical experience is required) 1-week residential summer program for both male and female students. Students will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of cybersecurity and gain practical skills through instruction by an experienced security professional while living on the UMD campus. Students learn about career options in the field, take at least one field trip and hear from a variety of speakers to learn more about how to prepare to enter this exciting profession.

For more information, visit https://inclusion.cs.umd.edu/outreach/cyber 

Create Tech

Create Tech (High School) 

Applications for Summer 2024 will open January 2024

Target Participant: Rising 10th - 12th Graders

  • July 24 - August 4
  • Cost: $500

Come join us for a two-week non-residential summer program to learn the basics of Python and Wearable Technology. Here, high school students will create wearable technology, program it using Python, and explore the revolution behind such technology. Students will learn about software and hardware while programming Circuit Playgrounds to create wearable items such as light-up keychains, bracelets, and broches, odometers, etc. Labs will consist of creating a prototype design using materials and state of the art design equipment in our Singh Sandbox. 

For more information, https://inclusion.cs.umd.edu/outreach/intro
 

Create Tech (Middle School) 

Applications for Summer 2024 will open January 2024

Target Participant: Rising 8th - 9th Graders

  • June 20 - June 30
  • Cost: $500

In this two-week non-residential summer program, middle school students will explore how humans interact with information and technology and apply programming skills to better understand the social impact of modern day innovative technology. Students will have the opportunity to design and create a prototype to address a contemporary issue of their choice.

For more information, https://inclusion.cs.umd.edu/outreach/intro

CompSciConnect

Applications for Summer 2024 will open January 2024

Target Participants: Rising 6th - 8th Graders

  • Session 1: June 20 - June 30 (CSC Yellow & Red only)
  • Session 2: July 10 - July 21 (CSC Red & Terp only)
  • Session 3: July 24 - August 4 (CSC Yellow & Terp only)
  • Cost: $400

CompSciConnect is a three-year non-residential summer program (Yellow, Red, and Terp groups) that typically begins with rising 6th graders joining the Yellow group. Each summer, students learn more advanced skills and also meet once a month throughout the school year to maintain those skills. Through the three years, students explore block based programming (ie. Scratch) (Yellow); web design programming with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (Red); and 3D game design programming (Terp), along with cybersecurity/safety, cryptology, number bases, logic, and computer use skills. Through the three years, we emphasize how these skills connect to other areas of study and to making the world a better place.

NOTE: We typically only accept students into Yellow and Red. We will have 45-50 spots for Yellow campers, and about 10-20 spots for Red.

All rising 6th graders will be considered for Yellow ONLY.

All rising 7th graders will be considered for Yellow or Red ONLY.

All rising 8th graders will be considered for Red.

For more information, visit https://inclusion.cs.umd.edu/outreach/csc

S3C2 Secure IT Summer Academy

Applications for Summer 2024 will open January 2024!

Target Participants: Rising 6th - 8th Graders

  • Date: TBD *
  • Cost: $450

Is computing taking over the world too quickly? Do you wonder if the technology you use is safe? Who created the code behind your app?  Come explore the Secure IT Summer Academy in a one-week non-residential summer program held at the University of Maryland-College Park, and North Carolina State University. This program is for middle school (rising 6th - 8th grade) students who are interested in the growing field of cybersecurity.  Students will learn to think like a cyber detective and employ design thinking to protect the things that you interact with daily (smart technologies, wearables, internet sites). In this summer program, you will use creative problem-solving to design, code, and protect various systems designed to help people across many fields.

Scholarships

Applications for Summer 2024 will open in February 2024

I4C Summer Academy Need-based Scholarships will be available this summer. Scholarships are available for eligible students living in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia areas. Please apply to a summer program before you apply for a scholarship.

FAQ's 

I4C Summer Academy Middle School Application Timeline:

 

Deadline

Status Response

Best Consideration 

 TBD

TBD

Priority Waitlist 

TBD

 TBD

Secondary Waitlist 

TBD

 TBD

Summer Academy High School Application Process Timeline:

 

Deadline

Status Response

Best Consideration

 TBD TBD

Priority Waitlist

 TBD TBD

Secondary Waitlist

 TBD TBD
Can my son participate in this program?
All students are eligible to apply and participate in an I4C Summer Academy program. Some content and themes are geared toward girls, but we accept all students.

 

How will my child's references be contacted for a recommendation?
We will email each reference an electronic recommendation form on a rolling basis beginning in January 2024. References can also request a paper version as needed. 

 

When do I submit my payment?
After you have been accepted, you will have two weeks to confirm your seat in the program and will be given payment information. For non-residential programs, accepted students will have 1 month to submit their payment. Students accepted into the Cyber Defense residential program will have two weeks to confirm their seat and to submit their deposit. The full balance will be due 1 month after confirmation. If you are awarded a scholarship, you will have 2-4 weeks to submit your payment.

 

My student is really excited about XX program. Are there any exceptions to the grade requirements?
We currently have opportunities for rising 6th - 12th graders. Our grade requirements are for students rising into a particular grade. We are not able to make grade exceptions for any reason. We hope you can find a program that matches your student's interests. Please view other UMD Camp opportunities here: https://today.umd.edu/2022-umd-summer-camps

 

I am interested in CompSciConnect. Can my student attend week 1 of one session and week 2 of another session?
Due to the nature of the CompSciConnect program design and team environment, your student must be able to attend the entire session in full.

 

When can I expect to receive the status of my application?
Applications will not be reviewed before the best consideration date. Any applications received after the best consideration date will be considered on our waitlist and reviewed on a rolling basis as space is available. Please see the middle and high school timelines.