Presentation from the SiS Catalyst and EUCU.NET Technucation conferernce at the University of Porto, 28th November to 1st December 2013. Workshop A - The Content.

1. Kids’ Tech University
Primary goal: Creating the future workforce
in Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) by sparking kids’
interest in these fields.
~Created in 2008, first program 2009
~Collaboration between Virginia
Bioinformatics Institute and Virginia 4-H
~Now includes 4 programs at 3
universities, 4 sites
~Kids ages 9-12 and their parents
Program Manager:
Kristy Collins, Ph.D.

2. Current KTU programs
• Franchise model- we do registration, evaluation
– Virginia Tech
• 450 kids
• Spring semester- 4 event dates, Jan., Feb., March and April
– Bowling Green State University
• 150 kids
• Spring semester- 4 event dates, Jan., Feb., March and April
– Virginia State University
• 125 kids
• Fall semester- 2 event dates, Oct. and Nov.
– Virginia Tech Southwest Center in Abingdon, VA
• 100 kids
• Fall/Spring semester- 2 event dates, Nov. and April

3. Structure of program
• Morning- Interactive Session hosted by a world renown
scientist
– Title in the form of a question
– Audio/visual sent out to another hall for parents
– Kids divided into rows by last name (about 10); volunteer (VT
undergrad/grad student) checks kids into row from parents
• Lunch
• Afternoon- exhibits by students, professors, clubs and local
companies
– Parents required to attend with children
• Virtual KTU program (http://ktu.vbi.vt.edu)
– Can be used for all KTU programs
– Open source- can be used in formal learning as well

4. Content in games and social
media
http://ktu.vbi.vt.edu

7. Content in K-12 outreach
programs
• Virginia Bioinformatics Institute K-12 initiative
– All K-12 programs are ran under this program
– Including:
• Virus Tracker in a Box program
– NIH (National Institutes of Health) funded- PI- Kristy Collins
• Modeling of Infectious Disease High School Program
– NIH funded- PI- Kristy Collins

8. Used in Grant Proposals
• Research proposals designed using KTU
concept
– NIH and NSF (National Science Foundation)
proposals
– PI- Kristy Collins; Co-PI- Dr. Kathleen Jamison, Dr.
ReinhardLaubenbacher and Dr. Chris Lawrence
• NSF proposals
– Exhibitor booths
– Contribute to Virtual KTU proposals

9. Content in public media

11. Content in school curriculums
• Teacher Development workshop involved with
every KTU program
• Virginia 4-H administers this aspect for the VT
program
• Dr. Kathleen Jamison, Virginia 4-H