Through interactive workshops, summits and fast-paced hackathons, SOCIHACKS provides technology literacy to low income youth in underserved communities.
Using numerous e-learning approaches and applications, children explore social issues that impact the world in which they live, work in teams to solve these issues and build awareness campaigns to educate others using technology, digital media, written and oral presentation skills.
Through these hands-on edTech events, participants explore career paths in science, technology, engineering, art and math; they learn to communicate, collaborate, think critically and creatively to develop 21st century skills.
SOCIHACKS partners with liked-minded businesses, nonprofits, civic organizations and fundraisers to offer our curriculum at no cost to youth or their families.
Millions of jobs in STEM/STEAM remain unfilled with no one qualified to fill them. Our goal at SOCIHACKS is to provide the tools for those already interested in STEM/STEAM fields and to spark a fire in those who may never have had the opportunity to explore them.
Contact us to learn how you can get involved or learn more about the mission of SOCIHACKS and why we are so determined to provide technology skills to those in high poverty areas.
The more than 8.3 million STEM jobs counted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2014 represented 6.2 percent of total U.S. employment, roughly the same as those working as lesser-paid retail salespeople or cashiers.
Jobs in computer systems design and related services, a field dependent on high-level math and problem-solving skills, are projected to grow 45 percent between 2008 and 2018, and the U.S. is projected to be short as many as three million high-skilled workers by 2018.
Women make up 47% of the total U.S. workforce, but are much less represented in particular science and engineering occupations (U.S. Department of Labor).
For example, only:
39% of chemists and material scientists are women;
27.9% of environmental scientists and geoscientists are women;
15.6% of chemical engineers are women;
12.1% of civil engineers are women;
8.3% of electrical and electronics engineers are women;
17.2% of industrial engineers are women; and
7.2% of mechanical engineers are women.
Black men and women make up less than 3% of scientists and engineers, Hispanics 4%, and all other groups 3% in the workforce. Added together, under-represented minorities make up only 10% of all of those working in science and engineering occupations and only one in 10 STEM professionals is a minority woman. Research shows that minority students often don’t have access to or don’t take STEM-related courses in high school.
Many minority students aren’t afforded the same educational opportunities, receiving less science and mathematics instruction from more inexperienced teachers. The lack of mentors and financial assistance poses potential problems in acquiring higher education.
TESTIMONIALS
I'm so excited!
STEM is a great opportunity for all members of the community to come together and provide our youth with the tools to not only better themselves but our environment as well! I'm so excited to be a part of this fantastic event!
"It literally changed my life!"
I had the privilege of volunteering for one of Ventura County’s very first SOCIHACKS hackathons held at CSUCI and it literally changed my life. The room was filled with excitement and energy "stemming" from young girls eager to learn in a completely unique forum which was primed perfectly to capture their passion for science & technology.
I am thrilled to support and be a part of the STEAM movement!
I enjoyed my experience with SOCIHACKS! They offer a great learning environment that offers tremendous amounts of knowledge in a variety of subjects. I am thrilled to support and be a part of the STEAM movement!
"I loved being part of the STEAM leadership program!"
What do you get when you mix a bunch of young post-millennials, some baby boomers, and a couple of millennials with a goal and a deadline? You get a lot of creative action and a darned good product! I loved being part of the STEAM leadership program!
"Truly inspirational!"
I was fortunate to be asked to volunteer for the CSUCI/Verizon Inspire Her Mind Event. As the day unfolded their excitement to create a web page and interact with each other was magical to witness. This event allowed for these young minds to explore a new path to excellence in exciting thriving careers offered at CSUCI.
"It literally changed my life!"
I had the privilege of volunteering for one of Ventura County’s very first SOCIHACKS hackathons held at CSUCI and it literally changed my life. The room was filled with excitement and energy "stemming" from young girls eager to learn in a completely unique forum which was primed perfectly to capture their passion for science & technology.
