Kenneth and Clarisse Peeples both have backgrounds and work in STEM related fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). When they became parents, the couple wanted their children and other children in the community to have local access to fun, engaging programs that nurtured their love of technology and STEM.
“We wanted to build something that could help kids learn a breadth and depth of technology,” explains Kenneth. “Whether it was in relation to drones, robotics, 3D printing, different coding languages, cyber security, or artificial intelligence, we wanted to make sure that kids here could have a deeper foundation in technology to match what other countries are already doing.”
As they researched the best way to bring these programs to kids in the CSRA, they found iCode. “We looked at different franchises as well as building our own,” he says. “We like the curriculum that is proprietary with iCode because they do a great job with their national committee to keep it updated and progressing so that younger kids get exposed to more advanced concepts and technology earlier.”
The couple opened iCode Augusta, which offers eleven achievement levels, also called technology belts, that begin at age four and run through high school. The belts start with coding blocks, progress to STEM Junior, then go through high school with a focus on cyber security. Each belt takes about nine months to complete and includes one-month sprints along the way.
Students gain valuable skills at every level. “For each of those belts or levels, there are specific outcomes and soft skills that they learn, along with the key concepts for technology,” he explains. “Whether it's in a belt that is dealing with drones and AI or dealing with STEM Jr. and doing the VEX-123 robots, there are a lot of concepts that they get to learn.”
In addition to normal technology belt classes, iCode offers special camps that help students learn in unique, fun ways. “We have holiday camps that are focused on AI, space camp using Minecraft, 3D Innovators, YouTube branding, and more,” says Kenneth. “The camps have a really good breadth and depth across all of the technology.”
Through camps and classes, kids master technological concepts as well as acquire soft skills that include communication, teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability that easily translate into other areas of life.
To help students keep track of their achievements, Kenneth has developed BadgePath Education, which can be accessed through a website or phone app. “With my background being in cybersecurity, I get certifications in cybersecurity as well as artificial intelligence that can be put on LinkedIn. These days, because AI is the first line of review for a resume, when companies are learning about the candidate, it's only what they've put on their resume or what can be found on the Internet,” he says. “So, I take all these achievements the students have done, these badges they’ve earned, and I put them into BadgePath so that when the child turns 16, they can transfer their badges to LinkedIn and start working towards college and career goals.” Homeschoolers, schools, and parents can also mint their own achievement certificates.
Kenneth and Clarisse also offer several other programs to complement the work they are doing through iCode. “We have CSRA Drones and get into teaching the FAA Part 107 training to get a commercial drone license,” Kenneth adds. “We also work with SkillZilla, another company that helps with life skills.”
For more information on various programs, visit icodeschool.com/augusta-ga, BadgePath.education, and CSRAdrones.com. Also find iCode Augusta, BadgePath, and CSRA Drones on Facebook.