The Idea Farm Academy 2020 S.T.E.A.M. Initiative

The Idea Farm Academy, Inc. (The IF Academy) is closing out its second year of operation. The partners we have joined forces with have been an integral part of our success journey with regard to the communities and populations we serve. 

National organizations like Girls Who Code and Rock The Vote allowed us to prove to our supporters we have the capacity to do innovative things as an organization. State and local organizations like The Greater Achievement Youth Empowerment Academy Inc., Annie Casey Foundation, The Kingdom of God International Ministry, Positive Growth Inc, Douglas and Fulton County Schools, Clayton State and Atlanta Metropolitan State College and University, STEM Wars, The Andrew & Walter Young YMCA and many more have made it possible for The IF Academy to implement its programming for communities and populations in the surrounding Metro-Atlanta area. The IF Academy has been a part of amazing growth with its early program supporters. We need to gather more support!

The Mission of The IF Academy is simple, yet unique...We Make IF Happen! The IF Academy is a 501c3 as determined by the U.S. department of The I.R.S. that focuses on utilizing technology and computer science based activities and experiences to positively impact vulnerable communities and populations. 

The IF Academy is owned and operated by Yoofi Dowell. He is a former educator with over 20 years of experience in Title I settings with the capacity to create and implement academic programming and curricula for students ranging from Toddlers in Pre-Kindergarten through the spectrum of education to undergraduate students in College. He is responsible for the day to day administration of the following services of The IF Academy: 

● Technology and Computer Science Driven Programming – The IF Academy offers enrichment programming for students in School and Community based settings (after-school enrichment programs). Unity, CSFirst, SCRATCH, Block coding are all utilized to create measurable outcomes related to coding and

programming.

● S.T.E.A.M. – The Acronym means Science/Technology/Engineering/The Arts/Mathematics. The IF Academy utilizes S.T.E.A.M. in its Break Camps (Camp Space Cadets) for students during breaks in the school calendar. The mission of Camp Space Cadets is to take the interest level of participants into a new atmosphere of appreciation and enjoyment.

● Transitional Skills – The IF Academy has a program Code BLAQUE, designed to prepare Boys ages 10-15 to become young men able to Monetize technology instead of being Marginalized by Technology. Code BLAQUE is a Rite of Passage program that creates a portfolio of skill sets necessary for the industries of today and the future. Program participants learn How to Code, Program, Create and Modify websites, Network and Cybersecurity. Program participants exit Code BLAQUE and are directed to enter the market place with Fiverr and other Digital Workspace opportunities.

● Technology based Activities and Experiences – The IF Academy utilizes a partnership with Girls Who Code to encourage and increase interest and participation of Girls in grades 3 rd – 12th in the field of Computer Sciences. This partnership is augmented with an Inter-generational mentoring opportunity with participants in our Coding and Programming Initiative for Older Adults.

The IF Academy is always eager to partner with relevant partners to provide relevant programming!