Tech on the Block
Where youth become community leaders and technology experts
Tech on the Block (ToB) is a FREE two-week summer program filled with fun, creative, and hands-on activities for youth entering 5th-8th grades! It is located on the University of Maryland (UMD) campus.
Youth will link cutting-edge technologies with life skills, personal identities, and community. They will engage in a daily mix of arts, creative tech activities, learning about community and history, outdoor physical activities, and guest speakers. We will also explore how artificial intelligence (AI) works, its weaknesses, its strengths, and how to think critically about AI and its impact on our communities.
We’ll create zines, use 3D printer pens, code an AI language model with Scratch, write stories and poems with generative AI tools, and more! All of our activities include individual and group reflection to build critical thinking skills. Examples of past outings include visiting UMD’s Immersive Media Design Lab and playing games in UMD’s Armory gym.
Parents and caregivers are part of the ToB experience! We nurture inter-generational learning in two (required) community nights that include activities for the whole family, a showcase, and awards! Dinner, childcare, and Spanish interpretation provided.
Details
Program Dates*: July 27 – August 7, 2026
*Daily attendance is required for the two-week program (except if your child is sick)
Location: UMD, College Park (maps link)
Program Hours:
- Drop-off: 8:30 – 8:45 am
- Pick-up: 3:30 – 3:45 pm
- No before or after care available
Community Nights (free dinner & childcare):
- Friday, July 31: 4:30 – 7:30 pm
- Friday, August 7: 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Who can enroll:
- Youth entering 5th-8th grade
- Youth from Prince George’s County will have priority in enrollment
- Girls and boys will be in separate classrooms and will be free to explore their own interests
Help shape the future of learning!
ToB is free thanks to a grant for us to explore how to teach critical thinking about AI, foster growth mindset, and learn how AI should (and should NOT) be used in our communities. By enrolling in this program, you and your child will help us develop guidelines for how these tools should be taught, designed, and used/not used.
youth participation:
- Daily attendance for the two-week program
- Two community nights (Fridays, 4:30-7:30 pm)
- Share their thoughts in two surveys and a small group interview
caregiver/parent participation:
- Two community nights (Fridays, 4:30-7:30 pm, free dinner & childcare)
- Attend/watch a virtual orientation
- Share your thoughts in two surveys and an interview
How to Enroll
Space is limited! When enrollment is full we will update this page. Submitting an application does NOT guarantee a spot in the program. Due to grant requirements, we have to consider the overall makeup of the program (for example, balancing groups by age and gender).
Program Partners
Tech on the Block is a collaboration between BecauseICAN, the Metamorphosis Community Project, researchers from the CReED Collective at UMD, and researchers at MSU. It is made possible by the TRAILS grant. This project has approval from UMD’s Institutional Review Board (ID# 2365447).
Questions? See the frequently asked questions (FAQs). For any further questions, email us at creed-youth@umd.edu
