The Information Technology
Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST)
program was established by the National Science
Foundation in direct response to the concern
about shortages of information technology workers in
the United States. The ITEST program funds
projects that provide opportunities for both
school-age children and teachers to build the skills
and knowledge needed to advance their study and to
function and contribute in a technologically rich
society.
A project by guided by Dr. Kevin
Clark of George Mason University, "Game Design
Through Mentoring and Collaboration," is a
partnership with McKinley Technology High School
in Washington, DC and is designed to teach high
school students video game design, and in turn,
allow mentoring opportunities for these students to
teach middle school students. The project
incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) content, with and emphasis on
career and educational paths.
The students also work with
scientists and experts to design and build
educational games that can be utilized by other
students and teachers.
The program targets traditionally
underrepresented students from the Washington, DC
area with the vision of being a model for other
distance learning efforts. The program
introduces fundamental concepts of Information
Technology (IT) as students develop human
animation, multimedia authoring and rapid game
prototyping using 3D tools.
This is a "hands-on" program with a
strong emphasis on non-traditional approaches to
learning and the intensive use of information
technologies such as: web-based programming, GIS,
architecture, database management, motion capture,
LAN network management.
In 2009, the partnership expanded
with the addition of Gary A. Johnson Company &
Associates, LLC (GAJCO). The company
developed a 4-week leadership academy for
prospective student mentors with a focus on
leadership, mentoring, STEM careers and business
etiquette.
In the summer of 2009, Be The
Game, LLC and Gary A. Johnson Company &
Associates, LLC sponsored several Wii Learning
Events for the DC Public School System's Parent
Family Resource Center (PFRC) and the DC Department
of Parks and Recreation.
In 2010,
the programs with DC Public School's Parent
Family Resource Centers have been expanded
where the primary focus is on professional
development and leadership training tied to
academic achievement.
