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❓ This has all the information you need to share our programs with your friends and classmates! If you have questions - please let us know at [email protected].
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💻 What is the Techccelerator and EngAcademy?
- EngAcademy: Electrical + computer engineering program (July 15-19)
- Techccelerator: Software engineering program (Aug 6-9)
- Both programs run for one week from 10AM-4PM, in person at UVic
🔎 What’s the point?
There’s 2 main drives behind our programs:
- Students aren’t learning all the skills they need for industry success at school
- Students don’t know what they can do with engineering or how to apply skills they’ve already learnt to the real world
👥 Who’s it for?
- Students in grades 10-12
- Interested grade 9 students - please email us in advance of your application
- Students will be placed into skill-matched groups to give everyone their best chance for success!
🔨 What will I do in the Techccelerator?
- Work in a small team to design, build, deploy, and pitch an application in a startup-like environment
- Build industry-relevant skills such as:
- Teamwork, problem solving, and project management using Agile methodology
- UX design and prototyping in Figma
- Version control with Git
- Beginner business skills like pitch presentations, researching competitive advantage, and making a profit
- Get to know mentors from the local tech industry, UVic professors and teaching assistants, and senior UVic students
- Check out past projects here!
💰 How much is it?
- $250 upon acceptance
- Scholarships available in cases of financial need - apply for it in the application form
🔨 What will I do in the EngAcademy?
- Work in a small team to design, build, and pitch an Arduino device in a startup-like environment
- Build industry-relevant skills such as:
- Teamwork, problem solving, and project management using Agile methodology
- Product design
- Sensors and their applications
- Controllers
- C-based programming
- Beginner business skills like pitch presentations, researching competitive advantage, and making a profit
- Get to know mentors from the local tech industry, UVic professors and teaching assistants, and senior UVic students
- Check out past projects here!
🚀 How do I apply?
❓FAQ
What if I have no coding experience?
That’s fine! Our mentors will teach you everything you need to know to get started with coding. Just come with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
We strongly encourage students with an interest or background in business, marketing, or design to apply!
What if I already have experience with coding?
Awesome! Students with prior tech experience are always welcome. Students will be placed into skill-matched teams so that they can work at their own level.
We emphasize all aspects of working in engineering, like team management, business, and design, so even the most experienced coders will learn something new!
What’s the schedule like?
Each day has a series of workshops, activities, and building time. Here’s the general overview of your weeks:
Day 1: Team building + design thinking
Day 2: UX design + tech skills
Day 3: Development
Day 4: Development
Day 5: Deployment + pitch presentations
How many spots are available?
Spring break & summer cohorts cap at 16 students per week.
What’s in it for me?
- Develop skills that school doesn’t teach you but that the industry needs
- Develop business skills that can help you find employment or create your own startup
- Get a jumpstart on your tech portfolio
- Create meaningful connections with leaders in the tech industry, UVic staff and faculty, and likeminded young people
- Build a reciprocal relationship with HighTechU
- HTU will have future volunteer or work opportunities that are offered to program alumni first
- Explore diverse career pathways in technology
- Engineering
- Design
- Business and marketing
What does a typical team look like?
Students will be placed into teams of 2-3. These teams are skill-matched but balanced based on interests.
For example, in a team of 3, all 3 people may have the same general knowledge of coding, but 1 person is interested in business, 1 person is interested in design, and 1 person is interested in coding.
We do this so that teams can not only work at their own level, but also learn new skills from each other and split up the work to cater to their personal interests. This gives teams the best chance of creating an awesome product!
I have more questions.
Please email the Program Coordinator, Kiara, at [email protected]