SNIPES is gearing up to help the next generation of innovators and creatives reach breakthroughs in the over-saturated market of technology and design. The SNIPES Young Geniuses Program was built on the mission to inspire youth from underserved communities to participate in higher education and provide students with access to a creative space as well as technology and tools to innovate. The first initiative of the Young Geniuses Program is the SNIPES Young Geniuses: Innovation Lab – launching in Atlanta on October 24th. To help get the Young Geniuses program running, we are partnering with STE(A)M Truck, a mobile innovation lab and award-winning program from Community Guilds. STE(A)M Truck was designed to help eliminate inequities in local school systems and transform all areas of education. Their mobile innovation labs pull kids and their teachers out of their comfort zones to create a bigger opportunity for engagement and creativity using STEAM tools and technologies.
We are excited to be taking this program to Atlanta first, as Atlanta is home to a substantial population of innovative, creative, and talented consumers. 50% of people living in Atlanta are African Americans, representing 60% of our current consumer base. As we move into the Atlanta area, we are dedicated to fostering the growth of the communities’ students and their dreams. Throughout the 8–12 week STEAM-powered hands-on program, chosen faculty will introduce design, engineering, and various other skill sets to the students. Faculty will do this through enrichment opportunities and workshops containing curriculum focused on the following themes:
- What makes a sneaker a sneaker?
- Design thinking & universal design
- Entrepreneurship for sneakers
- Functional footwear
- It’s all in the details
- Does it work? Who does it work for?
- Careers in design and sales
- What’s next in sneaker innovation?
The program’s final and most exciting piece will be for students to design a functional style of footwear for an inclusive community. Not only do students get the opportunity to learn and grow their skillsets, but they also get to walk away from the experience with their very own designs. Stay tuned to learn more about this incredible activation with STE(A)M Truck. For the latest news and activation updates, follow us on our Instagram, read up on our blog posts, and download the mobile app to stay in the know on everything SNIPES.
