AIM Institute teamed with Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Council Bluffs, Iowa to host an Hour of Code event Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the school for close to 900 students. Computer coding-related activities sparking creativity and problem-solving skills taught at the event will help introduce students to a rewarding tech career.
Hour of Code is the largest educational global movement introducing tens of millions of students worldwide to coding opportunities with AI and non-AI components. This event inspires kids to learn more, break stereotypes and leaves them feeling empowered towards tech. This year, the free Hour of Code platform is offering hundreds of one-hour coding activities for students featuring pop culture topics such as Minecraft.
This Hour of Code event is the result of a collaboration between the Council Bluffs Community School District and AIM Institute. Both organizations are committed to building a strong and diverse tech community through education and career development. Events like Hour of Code are among the youths’ first step into opening the door to the possibilities of their potential in tech.
Thanks to AIM’s partnership with Council Bluffs Community School District, the national Hour of Code program at Woodrow Wilson Middle School was a great success!
AIM representatives at Wilson Middle School are from left Staci Wise, Charles Kaup, Sarah Berkebile, Jayme Busch, Dala Alphonso, Monika Philp, Jessie Rowe and Isaac Piper.
On Friday December 6, over 100 Omaha-area high school students part of AIM’s Youth
Academy Upward Bound and Talent Search programs gathered at the Ashton at Millwork Commons for a
day of college and career exploration at the AIM Academies Winter College and Career
Fair.
At the fair, students received free refurbished Chromebooks generously donated by
AT&T and Human I-T. The AIM Institute sincerely thanks AT&T for its partnership in
working together to help youth and adults bridge the digital divide to support academic
and career success.
AIM’s Charles Kaup (left) with AT&T’s Christian Karch, who announces the laptop donation to
the students.
The students who participated are part of AIM’s Youth Academy, which has a partnership
with Upward Bound and Talent Search to serve first-generation/under-resourced youth
headed for college. The students were from Benson High School, Bryan High School,
Papillion La Vista High School, Papillion La Vista South High School, and Thomas
Jefferson High School. Students also had the opportunity to meet with representatives
from colleges and universities, explore career paths and build connections that will help
pursue their futures in post-secondary education.
The AIM Emerging Tech Leaders Academy helps IT talent discern whether they want
to continue as a tech worker or head down an IT management track. The program also develops knowledge and leadership skills to assist the individuals on their chosen career path.
On November 21, our fall cohort held its graduation ceremony. We wish each individual well on their tech journey! Ready to take your leadership to the next level? The next cohort begins this Spring! Don’t miss your chance to grow, connect, and lead with confidence. Sign up here to secure your spot.
Through AIM’s partnerships with Cornerstone Staffing and the Omaha chapter of the
Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), several deserving students
have earned scholarships to pursue tech careers, thanks to financial support from
Cornerstone Staffing and AITP. The following students are either planning on attending
or continuing to attend a college, university, community college, or technical school in
Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, North Dakota, or South Dakota, with the goal of
achieving an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Information
Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
*Austin Allen – Computer Science, Mineral Area College
*Connor Beachler – Computer Science Comprehensive, University of Nebraska at
*Kearney
*Michael Bourne – Computer Information Systems, Dakota State University
*Pawan Chaudhary – Cybersecurity, Dakota State University
*Keenan Flannery – Computer Science, University of Nebraska Lincoln
*Michael George – System and Network Security, Southeast Technical College
*Micah Harper – Computer Information Science, College of the Ozarks
*Regina Hua – Computer Science, University of Missouri – Columbia
*Linh Le – Data Analytics, Nebraska Wesleyan University
*Abe Schieuer – System and Network Security, Southeast Technical College
A big congratulations to these deserving students, and we sincerely thank Cornerstone
Staffing and AITP.
Omaha, Neb. (September 26, 2024) AT&T* and Human I-T provided AIM Institute 200 refurbished
Chromebook computers to distribute to Omaha residents in need.
The computers are funded by an AT&T contribution. The first of the computers were given to adult
graduates of the AIM Code School, with more devices to be provided to students and adults involved in
other AIM Institute programs in the months ahead. The AIM Code School offers accelerated training
for high-demand tech skills to adults and career-changers. “These graduates of the AIM Code School have just earned certifications in tech fields, so providing this necessary equipment puts them another step closer to success,” said AIM Institute Director of Technical Training Brett Berkebile. “It’s not just about technology; it’s about giving them tools to unlock their potential.”
In Nebraska, it’s estimated that 9% of households don’t have access to the internet or connected
devices needed to fully participate in the online world, an issue known as the digital divide.
This effort is part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to help address the digital divide through
internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million
people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030.
“AT&T is proud to collaborate with the AIM Institute to help close the digital equity gap in Omaha,”
said Dustin Blythe, External Affairs Director, AT&T Nebraska. “Access to computers is vital in helping to
bridge the digital divide and we are glad we can provide these resources to those that need them
most.”
Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.
About AIM Institute
Leading tech nonprofit AIM Institute has fostered the growth of the Omaha area’s tech sector for 30 years. AIM
understands that a more diverse and inclusive tech workforce will improve the sector so AIM works to fill the growing gap
in the tech workforce by training new tech talent and upskilling existing tech workers. AIM Code School offers accelerated
training for high-demand tech skills to adults and career-changers. Led by industry experts, AIM Code School students gain
access to a professional network throughout the duration of their enrollment. Offering seven accredited courses via the
State of Nebraska Dept of Education, AIM Code School offers all participants the ability to pursue their dream of one day
holding a career within tech. AIM Code School embodies AIM’s mission of creating a more diverse tech workforce, where
anyone can have a seat at the tech table.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and improving lives. As part
of our companywide commitment to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning® to invest in
connectivity and technology, digital literacy, and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of
the classroom. Since 2008 we’ve committed to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states, Washington D.C.
and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.
