KEC Announces Coding Camp for Jeff Co Students

Knoxville Entrepreneur Center is expanding its impact across East Tennessee this summer through its Code@KEC initiative. Code@KEC introduces students in middle and high school to engineering and software development, and connects them with community resources who provide opportunities for continued STEM education.

The Code@KEC initiative was developed in response to the heightened demand for computer scientists. Computer literacy has rapidly become a prerequisite for participation in today’s labor force. Jobs that once relied heavily upon manual labor are increasingly moving toward coding and programming the machines capable of executing the tasks. In a recent study conducted by Code.org, it is estimated that by 2020 there will be one million more computing jobs than candidates qualified to fill them.

In the Summer of 2018, Knoxville Entrepreneur Center will tackle this challenge by hosting code camps across East Tennessee that will lay a foundation for students to pursue a career in computer science. Students in Jefferson County will have two opportunities to participate. On June 11th, KEC has partnered with Walters State Community College to offer a weeklong camp at the school’s Morristown location for high school students. On July 9th, KEC has partner with Jefferson County Schools to offer a middle school camp at Maury Middle School.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn first hand the basics of computer languages such as Python, develop an understanding of coding logic, and use electrical and mechanical engineering to build small robots and functional circuit boards. As a result of the generous support of LaunchTN and Pilot Flying J, the camps are provided at no cost to the students. Please contact Stephen at Stephen@Knoxec.net or visit knoxec.com to register.

About KEC​ – Knoxville Entrepreneur Center is a nonprofit business accelerator located in Knoxville, TN. Our mission is to serve as the front door for entrepreneurs in our community, and a resource for anyone looking to start or grow a business here. We pursue that mission through mentorship, coaching, and a variety of programs and events intended to connect entrepreneurs and provide them the skills needed to be successful.