These Vance students spent spring break working, learning

Apr 2, 2016 | Events

internsphotowebHow did you spend your spring break? Twenty-one Vance High students spent it learning, “with all possible energy and enthusiasm,” says an observer.

Students in the Vance Engineering Academy eagerly received hands-on tech and software lessons via an apprenticeship led by Information Technologies, a University City entrepreneurial IT business, and sponsored by Electrolux.

For several hours each day, students learned how to rebuild laptops with new software, set up networks, write code and create apps. Each “graduate” received a restored laptop computer that they had helped to rebuild.

Electrolux worked with Informative Technologies, Vance High School Academy of Engineering and University City Partners to develop this Spring Break program as one way to begin addressing the digital divide in University City. The program provides students with an exceptional job apprenticeship and new job skills for the 21st century.

Companies shared talent, resources

“Our business community provided talent and resources to create this fantastic IT job training internship for Vance High students. We greatly appreciate support from Electrolux, Informative Technologies, Classic Graphics, E2D and Turner Construction,” said Darlene Heater, executive director of University City Partners.

A report on the week and a brief student video on creating aps are available on the Engineering Academy website.

“With all possible energy and enthusiasm,” the report begins, “twenty-one Vance Academy of Engineering 2016 Spring Break Interns teamed up with Informative Technologies, Electrolux, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, UNC Charlotte, Classic Graphics, Turner Construction, and E2D to rebuild laptops with a ReviveOS operating system and open-source software, develop games and create mobile Android apps.”

Working to bridge digital divide

Informative Technologies, based in UNC Charlotte’s PORTAL Innovation Center, works to narrow that digital divide and reduce electronic waste with the use of its ReviveOS software. The software “revives” seemingly obsolete computers so they once again run well.

E2D, a local nonprofit, was founded to answer the question: how can kids do homework and projects successfully if some families are too poor to own computers?

Electrolux and Classic Graphics have offices in University Research Park. Turner Construction constructed UNC Charlotte’s EPIC building, home to the university’s engineering programs.

Vance Engineering Academy promotes work-based learning

“This is a remarkable opportunity for our students to develop marketable technology skills It’s great, too, in that it rewards them from the start with their own laptop computer,” says Matthew Wykoff, Program Coordinator for Vance High School Academy of Engineering.

The Vance Academy of Engineering seeks to prepare its students for careers in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Along with extensive classroom study, students complete a minimum of 34 hours of work-based learning STEM field experiences with local businesses.

0 Comments


Receive Up to Date News


Receive Economic Development News


View Past Newsletters


View Post by Category


Press Releases

Meet Jordan Harris

This month, UCP welcomed Jordan Harris as the Director of Community Development and Outreach. With over a decade of community relations experience in various roles, most recently serving as the associate director of community relations at UNC Charlotte. In her new...

We’re Back…with a Vision!

University City Vision Plan – Connecting: People. Places. Nature. The growth and development being realized in University City is nothing short of transformational.  Major investments in transportation and mobility infrastructure, thousands of new rooftops, new...

University City launches Barton Creek Greenway Native Meadow

By Azania Herron University City Partners, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens and North Carolina Native Plant Society have partnered to install Barton Creek Greenway Native Meadows, a community native plant project in University City. On April...

New Farmers Market to open Oct. 3 at University Place

University City Partners announces the opening of University City Farmers Market on Oct. 3 around the lake at The Shoppes at University Place. Shoppers will find fresh local produce, food preparation programs and live entertainment. Open every Saturday in October The...

University City Wine Fest to Offer Socially Distanced Activities

New This Year: Wine on the Water and a Boutique Dining Experience.  Greystar University City Wine Fest will return this fall at multiple locations around the lake and boardwalk at Shoppes at University Place. The fourth annual festival will take place from September...

Where Will They Play?

We need more parks now – YOU CAN HELP A crisis caused by Charlotte’s explosive growth and government inaction threatens one of the most important assets of every truly livable city – public parks.   A recent nationwide study revealed that Charlotte has the least...