In December 2016, INROADS, Inc. and STEMBoard formed an alliance to increase diversity in STEM/STEAM and offer innovative curriculum to provide underrepresented high school students in Atlanta with technology and coding skills.  From June 26-28, this partnership reached a key milestone with the first-ever Hack<IT> UpStart workshop in Atlanta at the SLCA. This program gave INROADS College Links-Atlanta students hands-on experience with hardware and software.

Students also put their skills into practice. With the help of Dan Paige from Emory University's Continuing Education; the STEMBoard team, including Director of Education Jarvis Sulcer, Ph.D. and Danielle Regis, M.S.; and others, students developed microcontrollers and other tech devices that can be used in everyday items. Microcontrollers are chip-sized computers that control multiple devices.

STEMBoard — a technology solutions company — works to close the achievement gap that allows underserved youth to create transformational technologies. This alliance gives diverse students in Atlanta skills to increase their opportunities in STEM/STEAM industries. With sponsorship from Coca-Cola, Hack<IT> UpStart exposed students to a series of workshops aimed at bridging the digital skills gap in underserved communities.

Other partners include Chick-fil-A, the ELC, Georgia Pacific, The Home Depot and ITSMF.

Aisha Bowe — an accomplished African-American aeronautical engineer, defense contractor and co-founder of STEMBoard — was the keynote speaker at Hack<IT> UpStart. "Our lessons create a foundation for the practical applications needed for success in STEM fields," Bowe said. "We want to show students the software and hardware side of the functionality to ensure future success in their professions."

"For nearly 50 years, INROADS, Inc. has been on a mission to prepare underserved students for corporate and community leadership. With College Links — our high school program — we begin the process of early exposure for students to gain digital skills that help bridge industry diversity and leadership gaps," said Forest Harper, President and CEO, INROADS, Inc.