Tech Turn Up 2023 Annual Report

2023 was a year of growth for Tech Turn Up. The organization revisited and updated its strategy, expanded programming, increased the number of students it supports, strengthened its Board of Directors, and significantly increased its grant funding and operating budget from the prior year. 

In 2023 Tech Turn Up provided six in-school, after school, and summer programs supporting over 200 students in the Metro D.C. area.

Tim Weedon, Tech Turn Up’s Executive Director, worked with the Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy in Washington, D.C. Tech Turn Up supported 25 fifth to seventh grade students for 16 weeks. This program was made possible by a grant from Learn 24, a D.C. government program designed to ensure that youth in the District have access to quality educational and enrichment activities beyond the school day.

A significant highlight was Cesar Chavez students' newfound interest in technology. During the first two weeks of class, students had little interest in technology or confidence in their abilities and regularly showed signs of not wanting to be in the class. 

To overcome behavioral issues, Tim redirected the learning process to focus on building confidence. He directed their attention toward tech and art-based activities to build trust. He then moved back to coding, where students learned the basics of web design, created a wireframe, purchased a domain name, and built a website to support their school and the local community. 

Tech Turn Up also started a new program funded by a grant from Events DC called Residency-  Tech + Art, a ten week program for high school students around Design Thinking, coding, NFT’s, and basic music production. Ten fifth to seventh grade students participated and the quality of the students' ideas and work was at a high standard. Tim was impressed with the students' level of understanding of Design Thinking and problem-solving. 

In the summer, Tim successfully engaged 150 students and managed a staff of nine for the Verizon Innovation Learning program at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Tech Turn Up furthered its mission by teaching VR/AR coding, robotics, AI, and Design Thinking. The program also included a Career Day where members of the Tech Turn Up Board joined to talk about their career paths and how technology and art are incorporated into their jobs.

In October, Tech Turn Up launched InterAct Tech, an after-school program tailored specifically for middle school students at Cesar Chavez. This initiative welcomed 23 students into a flexible, personalized curriculum designed to meet their individual needs and skill levels. Through this program, students gained foundational knowledge and essential skills needed for success in the technology field, setting the stage for future educational and career opportunities.