How does the internet work? What do computer scientists do in everyday life? At the "IT Bootcamp for Kids", Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts, in cooperation with Dortmunder Tafel, gave a playful insight into information technology. Much to the delight of the participants, they were even allowed to keep the hardware at the end.
The project, initiated by the Dortmund Tremonia Lions Club, was supported by the Dortmund Donation Marathon. Nine children and young people between the ages of 10 and 17 were given a place at the IT boot camp at Fachhochschule Dortmund's User Innovation Center(Opens in a new tab) . "Our target group is children who may not have the technical equipment at home," emphasizes Regina Grabe from the Dortmunder Tafel. The participants were provided with the necessary hardware at the university of applied sciences. "Our aim is not only to provide an insight into programming and software, but also to highlight job profiles and future opportunities," says Dr. Nhiem Lu, deputy professor at the Faculty of Computer Science(Opens in a new tab) .
Typical working methods in software development
In addition to theory, the three-day "IT bootcamp for kids" also included plenty of practice. The participants developed app ideas, drove forward solution approaches with terminal blocks and programmed small program routines. With the support of Dr. Nhiem Lu and his team, the children and young people learned typical software development working methods in a fun way.
However, it was also important to the organizers that the "IT boot camp" was a shared experience. The participants were brought to the User Innovation Center by project partner TRD Reisen Fischer, where Dr. Nhiem Lu and his colleagues had prepared a healthy breakfast. As with every vacation camp, table service was also part of the daily routine.
The boot camp was financed by the Radio 91.2 telethon. The Dortmunder Tafel and Fachhochschule Dortmund accompanied the kids on site and prepared the boot camp intensively. "There was a big surprise at the end," reports Dr. Nhiem Lu. Thanks to a donation from the IT company Bechtle, the participants were able to keep the laptops and take them with them "so that they can continue to develop their IT skills at home and not lose the fun of technology," explains Dr. Lu.