There are many sides to technology and there are students who are taking advantage of this tech to do amazing things. Last week Microsoft held an event where they showcased some young bright minds using Windows 10 technology to achieve greatness. The showcase appropriately titled “Dream. Create. Do.” held in New York, highlighted the many ways Windows 10 can be used. All different projects with great purpose.
Check out the Back-To-School Surface Pro 4 and Xbox One Bundle HERE
Belen Guede – Computer Science Advocate Using Windows 10
Belen noticed the lack of computer science education in the Latin community. In her country of Chile, she wanted to use the public library as a meeting place to introduce computer science to the youth of her country. She won Microsoft’s YouthSpark Challenge for Change and was able to accomplish her goal of bringing computer science to youth of Chile. Belen and her group of volunteers were nicknamed the technology natives, since pioneering this much needed space in computer science. She and her team use Windows software for HTML coding, app development, video tutorials, basic organization and communication. She credits Windows 10 with helping her take the initiative to start and keep the program going in a place where computer science is not offered. Learn more about Belen Guede HERE
eFitFashion
Juliana Pirani had trouble finding clothes in her size. She cofounded eFitFashion because she understood the satisfaction of having clothes tailored to your size instead of the other way around. The online marketplace allows for users to connect directly with tailors and order clothing that fits to size. eFitFashion won 1st place in the Innovation category at the 2015 Imagine Cup that was sponsored by Microsoft. They won the national prize which included a mentoring session with Satya Nadella, and 4 more weeks of acceleration with Microsoft Ventures. Learn more about eFitFashion and their journey to the Imagine Cup HERE
Mikaila Ulmer – Me & the Bees Lemonade
Mikaila Ulmer has taken the lemonade stand up a few notches with her business Me & the Bees Lemonade (formerly known as Beesweet lemonade). Mikaila took a negative turn of events (getting stung by bees twice) and turned it into learning and profit. A combination of her grandmother’s flaxseed recipe and her mission to help save bees (using local honey for sweetening), Mikaila’s lemonade was on it’s way to success, or you would say is already successful. You can find Me & the Bees lemonade at Whole Foods, restaurants, and food delivery companies. Microsoft is helping this case with a small business makeover which includes a Windows 10 app for managing small business tasks. You can learn more about Me & the Bees Lemonade HERE
Micah Kim – Quest Institute International Space Station Program
I got the chance to meet Micah Kim, an eighth grader / team leader, and Danny Kim the Director of Innovation at the Quest Institutes International Space Station Program. Using Windows Internet of Things (also known as IoT) on low cost micro-computers, they will manage science experiements that will be sent up to the International Space Station. The board is connected to the internet, has a camera, and using Microsoft Azure providesthe students with live feed of their project also. “Quest Institute hopes to build upon a successful spaceflight and continue on the path of breaking barriers in order to find ways to support, excite, and encourage the youth of today.” Learn more about the Quest Institute’s International Space Program HERE
E4 Youth Member Blaigne Sixon (Texas All State Jazz Sax Player)
It was fun talking to the vibrant Blaigne Sixon E4 Youth member and the Carl Settles the Founder / Executive Director of E4 Youth. E4 Youth is a program that brings arts / creative careers to underserved students. Working with 2000 students since it’s inception E4 Youth has raised over one million dollars in cash to support its programs. Blaigne is a very talented saxophone player (I was lucky enough to hear him play live) and a member of E4 Youth. He uses the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and Muse Score on Windows 10 to write music. His mentor Carl says E4 Youth members are provided Surface Pro 2-in-1 computers to help their work in the arts. Carl uses his Surface Pro to get work done and manage daily routine of E4 Youth.
Needless to say I left the event impressed and inspired. You can follow up with these talented youths with the links provided.
