Tech Day is a day-long conference for middle school female and non-binary identifying students to gain more exposure to computer science and technology. Students are encouraged to submit a technology-related project and will have the opportunity to showcase it at Tech Day. The event will include hands-on workshops in both hardware and software, engaging STEM and career panels, as well as ample opportunities for students to bond with each other and get to know current UC Berkeley STEM students.
This year, Tech Day is hosted on Sunday, April 14th from 9am to 2:30pm on UC Berkeley campus.
The exact event address will be emailed out to applicants who are admitted to the program.
The application link is http://tinyurl.com/Sp24TechDayApplication.
To receive more bi-weekly newsletters containing reminders and more information about Tech Day, subscribe to our newsletter here:
http://tinyurl.com/Sp24TechDayNewsletter.
Conference Outline:
8:40 am Student check-in + set up presentations
9:00 am Conference intro (15 min) + Professor speaker (30 min)
10:00 am Project Showcase (45 min)
11:00 am Activity 1 (60 min)
12:15 pm Lunch (60 min)
1:30 pm Activity 2 (60 min)
2:30 pm Conference ends
Project Showcase
Submitting a project is not required, but highly encouraged for students to participate in. If you submit a project and are accepted to the program, you will have the opportunity to present your project to students, parents, volunteers, and professors in a project showcase. We are offering project support through virtual project workshops and office hours (more information about our workshops can be found in the description of this form).
The goal of the project is to explore technology. Design something new that solves a problem you experience OR fascinates you. This can be a new object, tool, algorithm, robot, etc. You may write, design, and/or build your invention. Your final product should be a poster board (or another media of presentation) containing a description of what you designed, the problem you are trying to solve, your design process, your final product, and the next steps (if you had more time, how would you improve?). If you have a physical object/prototype you built, you may bring that in addition to your poster board.
We will be giving awards and prizes in the following project categories!
- Innovation Award: Given to a project that demonstrate unique and groundbreaking ideas or approaches.
- Community Impact Award: Recognizes a project that have the potential to make a positive impact on the local or global community.
- Sustainability Award: Recognizes a project that aims to develop a solution to global sustainability challenges.
- People's Choice Award: This award goes to a project that receives the most votes from fair attendees.
- All the Laughs Award: Given to a project that uplifts attendee's spirits and makes attendees laugh the most.
Virtual Project Office Hours and Workshops (All times in PST)
Project workshops will be a mini-lesson-styled workshop for students to learn more about different areas within technology and computer science. Office hours are for students to drop in and get their questions answered.
Specific dates and times are to be announced through the newsletter and updated here:
The Zoom link is the same for all workshops and office hours: Zoom Link.
Thursday 2/22, 6-7 PM - Office Hours
Saturday 3/2, 11 AM -12 PM - Project Workshop 1
Sunday 3/10, 3-4 PM - Project Workshop 2
Sunday 3/17, 12-1 PM - Project Workshop 3
Thursday 3/21, 5:10-6:10 PM - Office Hours
Thursday 3/28, 5:10-6:10 PM - Office Hours
Subscribe to our Google Calendar if you’d like to add these events to your calendar.
Project workshops will be a mini-lesson-styled workshop for students to learn more about different areas within technology and computer science. Office hours are for students to drop in and get their questions answered.
We have extended the deadline by one week. The new deadline to apply is Tuesday, April 9th 11:59PM PST.
Apply here!
Subscribe to our mailing list here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will submitting a project increase my chances of getting accepted?
No, whether you choose to submit a project or not does not change how likely you will be accepted. Students who choose to submit a project will have the opportunity to present their work and have the opportunity to win an award!
If I register, am I guaranteed a spot in the program?
As much as we would love to accept all students who apply, we, unfortunately, don't have the capacity and budget to accommodate more than ~70 students.
Do I need to have previous coding or technology experience?
No! We are looking for passion, interest, and love for learning more about technology and computer science. We understand students may not have access to resources to explore technology, which is why we are offering this tech day as a space for students to explore technology for free!
Where is the event located?
The location of the event is UC Berkeley campus. Specific venue address and information will be emailed out to applicants who are accepted.
Have other questions? Email swe.techday@gmail.com!