What We Do | Necessities for Children

Our mission is to provide support youth, K-12, focusing on underserved and minority; empowering and equipping them through engaging and inspiring STEM education with 21st century skills & tools to succeed. We change the trajectory of lives through the power of K-12 children's education.

OUR PROGRAMS

Tech For Kids, our Signature Program, is a unique STEM program which we delivery to youth in-person and virtually in collaboration with schools, districts, parks & recreation, and existing community youth service providers. Lessons and time frame are adjusted to best maximize the learning outcomes for youth, ranging from a one day lesson to ongoing lessons with a customized curriculum plan.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) learning practices are utilized, resulting in SEL and Student Academic Outcomes: (1) Student-Centered Discipline, (2) Teacher Language, (3) Responsibility and Choice, (4) Warmth and Support, (5) Cooperative Learning, (6) Classroom Discussions, (7) Self-Reflection and Self-Assessment, (8) Balanced Instruction, (9) Academic Press and Expectations, and (10) Competence Building—Modeling, Practicing, Feedback, and Coaching.

UNPLUGGED CODING

- One hour classes for four weeks

- On-going programming is available

A 2nd grade student commented after playing an unplugged coding game, "I learned kindness." Teamwork, problem solving and collaboration are important components to computational learning.

CYBER SAFETY & CYBERSECURITY

- One hour classes for four weeks (Elementary)

- One hour Certificate program for eight weeks (Middle & High School)

CyberSeek data reveals that there were almost 600,000 unfilled cybersecurity-related positions in the 12 months from October 2020 through September 2021. Additionally, a youth who is aware and informed is less likely to fall victim to a danger or predatory situation online. The Human Trafficking Hotline reported that Florida had the third-highest rate of human trafficking cases reported across the country in 2019.

ROCKET LAUNCH

- One hour classes for four weeks (Elementary, Middle & High School)

- Weekly guest speakers inspire and engage youth in space, as they design, build and launch their own stomp rocket.

A special guest speaker shared how he had always wanted to be an astronaut but was disqualified in university due to a medical issue. Now, he works to NASA to operate the International Space Center from Earth! We have been honored to include many guests from NASA, including Astronaut Bob Behnkin.

DRONE DESIGN

- One hour classes for six weeks (Elementary, Middle & High School)

- Weekly guest speakers inspire and engage youth in learn all about drones, the principles of physics in action; building their critical thinking, problem solving and technical skills.

Did you know? According to Code.org, only 38% of public high schools in Florida teach computer science (51% in public schools across the USA); includes coding, robotics and cybersecurity, a sector with 0% unemployment rate since 2011. We are seeking to make up for what public education lacks, particularly in some of our most vulnerable communities.

Our Area Of Focus

Necessities for Children primarily focuses on providing children quality STEM/Computer Science Education; ensuring that we can enable children to achieve their full potential for college and career readiness

Education

Children are inspired by our fun activities, which require teamwork and include hands-on learning, problem-solving skills, and computational thinking (think like a computer). We incorporate ergonomics for short-to-long-term health and optimizing learning. We provide a bridge to the real-life application of tech skills through interactive, innovative project-based classes. The outcomes for children include computational and digital literacy.

Tech For Kids, K-12

Rather than shun screen time, we make it fun and productive through encouraging youth to “make” games, rather than just “play" them. Mobile coding and computer science classes to engage and inspire youth; providing them critical skills for college and career success. Tech for Kids includes four programs: Rocket Launch, Drone Design, Cyber Safety and Security, and 'unplugged' coding.