NewBoCo’s Tiny Techies program going to Uganda

CEDAR RAPIDS -- As NewBoCo marks its 10th anniversary of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Iowa, Samantha Dahlby, the nonprofit’s director of K-12 education, is extending the organization’s reach to Africa.

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Dahlby is now in Uganda in east-central Africa introducing NewBoCo’s Tiny Techies curriculum to more than 300 educators and their students.

Her trip is a reciprocal exchange component of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Twenty-four young African leaders were selected as Mandela Fellows to study global business at the University of Iowa this summer.

The Tiny Techies program was developed for pre-kindergarten through second-grade educators. It teaches teachers how to introduce foundational computer science concepts to students through hands-on activities.

More than 400 Iowa educators in Iowa have participated in the program.

“We meet educators and students where they are, helping to demystify computers and computer science through computational thinking concepts, hands-on activities, and connecting these concepts with things they are already familiar with,” Dahlby said.

“This approach is critical for developing skills that enhance students' perspectives and their ability to engage with subjects like literacy and math, even at an early age.”

Adapting Tiny Techies to fit the needs of Ugandan students required some refocusing.

“We'll be focusing on supporting literacy for this pilot,“ Dahlby said. ”My partners in Uganda have shared that there are a wide variety of literacy levels, and we'll need to make culturally relevant modifications to ensure the content is relatable.“

However, Dahlby is excited about the experience and the professional and personal growth the trip will bring.

“I know that my skills will be stretched, and I'll come home with new ideas, new ways to support students in the U.S., and new friends from this journey,” she said.

She hopes the insights gained from this pilot will inspire new strategies and activities for educators in both the U.S. and Uganda.

10-year mark

As NewBoCo celebrates its 10th anniversary, Dahlby finds herself reflecting on the evolution of Tiny Techies.

“When I started designing Tiny Techies in 2015-16 and running it directly with students, I never imagined that I would be taking it internationally," she said.

Each stage of the program's development has been driven by feedback from students and educators. The Tiny Techies program is now statewide, supported by the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council.

Beyond the pilot

The two-week pilot program in Uganda is just the beginning.

After Dahlby’s visit, she will meet with local partners and representatives from the U.S. government and Uganda to discuss potential next steps. The aim is to establish a sustainable partnership that could see Tiny Techies becoming a regular part of the educational landscape in Uganda.

"We're researching how to get more materials from our Tiny Techies educator kits to Uganda or modify the materials based on what they have available locally,“ Dahlby said. ”We'll also be looking for funding partners to support additional training and sustain the work.“

Her goal is to continue building on what is learned from the pilot, exploring opportunities to expand the program and make a lasting impact on education in Uganda.

To support the pilot program and provide essential materials, NewBoCo is accepting tax-deductible donations at Newbo.co/donate.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. government and administered by IREX. For information about the fellowships, visit mandelawashingtonfellowship.org and join the conversation at #MandelaFellows.

Jessica Abdoney is marketing and communications coordinator at NewBoCo. Comments: jessica.abdoney@newbo.co