Empowering Digital Navigators: SACTH Code Camp Success

Snapshot:

South Auckland Creative & Tech Hub (SACTH) Established in 2022 with support from the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE), the South Auckland Creative Tech Hub (SACTH) serves as a catalyst for empowering Māori and Pasifika youth through access to cutting-edge technology and educational programmes. Led by Danny Leaosavai’i, SACTH focuses on equity through education, providing transformative opportunities to underserved communities in South Auckland. The hub’s innovative programs are driven by the mission to foster creativity, technological access, and skill development, ensuring the future success of Māori and Pasifika youth in the creative tech industry.

The Problem:

Underrepresentation in the Tech Workforce Pasifika people make up only 4.4% of the tech workforce, highlighting a critical gap in diversity within the industry. This underrepresentation stems from systemic barriers, including limited access to quality tech education and resources. Recognising the need to address this disparity, SACTH was established to mobilise Māori and Pasifika youth into the creative and tech sectors. SACTH believes in moving beyond restating the problem and instead focuses on sustainable solutions to increase access, capability, and visibility for these communities.

The Solution:

Addressing the Problem through the SACTH Code Camps To tackle these challenges, SACTH partnered with Code Avengers to host school holiday Code Camps from September 25th to October 5th, 2023. The camps aimed to equip South Auckland youth with essential digital skills and ignite their passion for technology. Running simultaneously on alternate days, the junior camp (ages 7-12) and senior camp (ages 13-17) provided tailored learning experiences to foster digital creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Code Avengers, with its expertise in educational technology, brought its proven pedagogy to the camps. By integrating engaging metaphors, analogies, and storytelling, Code Avengers’ team of tutors made complex concepts accessible and relatable. Their lived experiences in breaking barriers in the tech industry inspired participants and emphasized the transformative potential of technology.

Code Camp Highlights:

1. Dynamic Learning Activities
   • Participants were introduced to programming, game design, and web development using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
   • Team-based projects included creating websites, apps, and games, fostering collaboration and innovation.
   • Unplugged activities complemented digital lessons, ensuring diverse and engaging learning experiences.
2. Tangible Outcomes
   • Every student, including 7-year-olds, successfully created a website.
   • Crowd-favorite activities like Pixilart and Food Frenzy captivated younger participants.
   • Senior students demonstrated advanced skills through app and game development projects.
3. Empowering Participants and Parents
   • Parents were actively involved through presentations showcasing their children’s work, strengthening community ties.
   • Certificate presentations celebrated the students’ achievements, boosting their confidence and pride.
   • Feedback from parents highlighted the enthusiasm students showed at home, discussing and applying their newfound skills.

Impact:

The camps achieved exceptional outcomes in building digital proficiency and nurturing interest in the tech field:

• Engagement: By the end, 35 learners accrued a whopping 17,187 points and spent over 400 hours of learning collectively across Code Avengers courses. Retention rates were high, with students expressing a keen interest to return for future camps. 
• Inclusivity: The camps created a safe and welcoming space for Indigenous youth, females, and other underrepresented groups.
• Skill Development: Students demonstrated increased confidence in coding, problem-solving, and teamwork. On average, each student completed 74 tasks and 15 complete lessons across their 4-5 days at the camp.
• Community Impact: Parents expressed pride in their children’s accomplishments, noting their heightened interest in technology.

“Our lives have benefitted hugely from this industry. We’re passionate about making it easier for others like us to succeed. Just by being here, we’re removing barriers and showing what’s possible.” – Ray Allen, Vice President - APAC, Code Avengers

Conclusion:

The SACTH Code Camps aligned with the ethos of the “Tohunga Kaiurungi Matihiko” or Digital Navigators. Just as Māori and Pasifika ancestors navigated the open sea as master navigators, these camps equipped participants to navigate the digital landscape confidently. By fostering creativity, resilience, and technical skills, SACTH and Code Avengers empowered youth to embark on journeys of inspiration and opportunity in the tech industry.

The 2023 SACTH Code Camps exemplified the power of partnership and community-driven initiatives. By combining SACTH’s vision with Code Avengers’ expertise, the camps ignited a passion for technology among South Auckland youth. This collaborative effort not only bridged the digital divide but also planted the seeds for a future generation of Māori and Pasifika leaders in the creative and tech sectors.