CAST developed an
EdTech Design Challenge & Incubator program specifically for underrepresented youth who might not typically gravitate to these kinds of programs or see their future selves in roles as technology innovators, designers or developers. Building upon a strength-based mindset and through their variable and diverse strengths, the youth moved from passive recipients to empowered and passionate designers of their own learning systems.
With respect to the workforce, we believe there is enormous untapped potential for enriching and catalyzing innovation in our economy by harnessing the talents of these youth who think from a variety of vantage points and “outside of the box."
One of CAST’s internal goals was to use the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to design the program so that all participants were engaged and supported throughout. Our ultimate goal was to enact a paradigm shift in these youth. In this session, we'll share with you how it went.
