Inside the College Track Oakland Bytes STEAM Pathway: Creativity, Community & Real-World Innovation!

At College Track Oakland, our Bytes STEAM Pathway scholars have embarked on a journey that combines creativity, technology, and problem-solving — all while fostering a strong community.

We kicked off the semester with a fun Keynote Jeopardy game, where scholars explored Keynote features while learning about design, transitions, and UI/UX basics. This interactive activity not only introduced key tech tools but also helped scholars build relationships, collaborate, and spark early design thinking, setting the tone for the work ahead.

The Bytes learning lab, powered by College Track, challenges scholars to step into the role of designers, innovators, and changemakers. Throughout the semester, scholars have been:

• Practicing Design Thinking to identify community problems they’re passionate about.
• Learning UI/UX design skills using platforms like Adobe and Keynote.
• Developing interactive app prototypes that reflect their solutions.
• Engaging in peer feedback sessions with mentors, industry professionals, and fellow scholars.
• Strengthening presentation and pitching skills as they prepared to share their final projects.

The Big Questions Scholars Are Tackling: Each scholar has centered their app prototype around a Big Question — a real-world issue they want to impact. Some of the questions they are building their apps around include:

• How can we support teens struggling with mental health?
• How do we improve access to affordable, healthy food in our communities?
• What can we create to help students manage school stress and time better?
• How can we connect young people to mentorship and career resources?

By focusing on issues that matter to them, scholars are not only learning tech skills but also developing empathy, leadership, and confidence.

As we headed towards the Final Showcase, scholars were preparing to present their app prototypes to families, staff, and community members, sharing their creative solutions and the incredible growth they’ve made.

This is what STEAM looks like at College Track Oakland: community-centered, student-driven, and full of purpose. 

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