What we're building
Five free tech programs for Philadelphia kids and young adults, all still being built. Bot Catchers comes first: a home test this fall, then a first cohort with a community partner. TechStart Academy is second, targeting Fall 2026.
We're still building these programs. If you want to know when sign-ups open, put your name on the interest list. Join the interest list
Bot Catchers, Level 1
Home test: Fall 2026. First cohort after that.
Bot Catchers is an 8-week program where Philadelphia kids ages 9 to 11 learn to use AI by trying to catch it being wrong. Kids ask Nova, our kid-safe AI helper, then check what it says in two places that aren't AI. Every mistake they prove goes in their Catch Log. Along the way they build the Philly Kids' Fact Book, a printed zine of checked facts about the city with their names on it. It is built and not yet run. The home test starts this fall with the founder's own kids. The first group cohort comes after that, with a community partner. Read the full program page.
Who It's For
Ages 9 to 11 · Philadelphia families · No experience needed
Small groups with a grown-up nearby for every session.
What Kids Will Learn
- Think: what AI is, what it isn't, and what you already know
- Ask Nova: writing a four-part prompt that gets a better answer
- Verify: the Two Source Rule and the Truth Meter
- Build: a poster, a quiz, a story, Fact Book pages, and a final project
- Explain: showing what AI did and what the kid did
- The Catch: proving Nova wrong with two sources that aren't AI, and keeping score in the Catch Log
Planned Outcomes
Each kid finishes with a project they can explain, their pages in the printed Philly Kids' Fact Book, and the Certified Bot Catcher, Level 1 certificate, handed out at Demo Day. No results yet. We only report real numbers.
TechStart Academy
Target Launch: Fall 2026
TechStart Academy is our second program. It is a free Saturday class for kids ages 8 to 11: six Saturdays in a row, three hours each morning, in person. Kids learn how computers work, how to stay safe online, and how to code with Scratch, building a first animation and then a first game. No experience needed. They just need to be curious and have an adult who can get them there.
Who It's For
Ages 8 to 11 · Philadelphia families · No experience needed
Groups of 10 to 12 kids, so each one gets attention.
What Kids Will Learn
- How computers work: hardware, software, and what happens when you click
- Internet safety and how to treat people online
- Beginner coding with Scratch: sequences, loops, and events
- A first animation, then a first game you can play
- Working through problems and showing your work on Demo Day
Planned Outcomes
Each kid finishes with a game or animation they built themselves and a NextGen Certificate of Completion, handed out at a family Demo Day. Families go home with resources to keep learning.
Code & Career Bootcamp
Target Launch: 2027
Code & Career is a 16-week coding bootcamp for ages 16 to 24. It is still being built. The plan is to teach web development from zero: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and Node.js. Alongside the coding there will be career coaching, resume help, mock interviews, and introductions to employers who are hiring.
Who It's For
Ages 16 to 24 · Basic computer skills help but are not required · You need to be able to show up for a full-time schedule.
What You'll Learn
- Full-stack web development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Node.js
- Version control with Git and GitHub
- Agile development and how software teams work
- A portfolio of at least 3 projects you built
- Interview prep and how to run a job search
Planned Outcomes
You finish with web development skills, a portfolio of at least 3 projects, and help finding a job. We plan to connect graduates with employers in the Philadelphia area.
CyberShield Cybersecurity Program
Target Launch: 2027
CyberShield is a 14-week cybersecurity program for ages 16 to 24. It is still being built. The plan covers network security basics, ethical hacking basics, threat analysis, and the tools people in the field actually use. It prepares you for the CompTIA Security+ exam, a common entry-level certification, and we pay for the exam voucher.
Who It's For
Ages 16 to 24 · Some IT or networking knowledge helps but is not required · You like solving problems and figuring out how systems work.
What You'll Learn
- Network security basics and how networks are put together
- Ethical hacking and penetration testing basics
- Threat analysis and incident response
- CompTIA Security+ exam preparation
- Security lab exercises and simulations
Planned Outcomes
Preparation for the CompTIA Security+ exam, time in the lab, and a start toward cybersecurity jobs in the public or private sector. The exam voucher is included at no cost.
IT Launchpad
Target Launch: Fall 2026
IT Launchpad is a 12-week IT support program for ages 16 to 24. It is still being built. You learn hardware, software, networking, troubleshooting, and how to help people with their tech problems. The material lines up with the CompTIA A+ certification, a common requirement for entry-level IT jobs. It is meant to get you ready for help desk, IT support, and junior systems administrator roles.
Who It's For
Ages 16 to 24 · No IT experience needed · Good for people who like building, fixing, and troubleshooting things.
What You'll Learn
Planned Outcomes
Preparation for the CompTIA A+ exam (voucher included), lab hours, and help finding a job in help desk, IT support, or entry-level systems administration.
Compare the programs
| Program | Ages | Duration | Certification | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bot Catchers | 9-11 | 8 sessions | Certified Bot Catcher | In person | Free |
| TechStart Academy | 8-11 | 6 Saturdays | NextGen Certificate | In-person | Free |
| Code & Career | 16-24 | 16 weeks | Portfolio + job help | In-person / Remote | Free |
| CyberShield | 16-24 | 14 weeks | CompTIA Security+ | In-person lab | Free + voucher |
| IT Launchpad | 16-24 | 12 weeks | CompTIA A+ | In-person lab | Free + voucher |
Want to know when sign-ups open?
Put your name on the interest list and we'll email you when applications open. No commitment, just your name and email.