Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Tech Corps Ohio in support of their 2025 TECHCORPShack Hackathon event for under-served Franklin County high school students.
The TECHCORPShack is a one-day, hands-on event where high school students collaborate to solve real-world challenges using the latest technology. Funding will support eight of the 80 teams slated to participate in the 2025 TECHCORPShack. The Columbus Hackathon will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, and is open to Franklin County high school students, focusing on those traditionally underrepresented in technology fields. Students will learn to use Apple's Swift UI, receive mentoring and coaching from community technology professionals, and will present their apps to a panel of judges comprising of community leaders and business professionals. Winners will receive cash and prizes. The winning teams from each region will be recognized at the Ohio Statehouse during 2025 Computer Science Education Week (December). Success is measured by the number of students registered along with evaluation and survey feedback from students, instructors, and volunteers.
Tech Corps will collaborate with local school districts, businesses, community, and youth-serving organizations to implement the 2025 TECHCORPShack. Volunteers will represent a diverse range of businesses and organizations, including WillowTree Apps, CoverMyMeds, Nationwide Insurance, Google, Huntington, ICS Tech Group, and more. Columbus City Schools and districts throughout Franklin County will assist with student recruitment and provide volunteers to support the event. Volunteers will serve in key roles as student mentors, judges, and logistics staff. Mentors will provide technical guidance and support to participants, helping teams to navigate any challenges. Judges will evaluate the projects based on creativity, functionality, and presentation, ensuring that participants receive constructive feedback. Logistics volunteers will oversee event setup, registration, and coordination, guaranteeing a safe, secure event where all participants have a positive experience.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Tech Corps Ohio in support of their 2025 TECHCORPShack Hackathon event; and to authorize an expenditure of $25,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council seeks to promote access to STEM opportunities for Columbus students, including computer science learning opportunities; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Science Foundation, those working in STEM tend to earn more than 50% more than those working in non-STEM fields; and
WHEREAS, Tech Corps Ohio is an Ohio nonprofit that believes that all K-12 students should have access to high-quality computer science learning experiences, thereby promoting career pathways in STEM; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Tech Corps Ohio in support of their 2025 TECHCORPShack Hackathon event serving underrepresented Franklin County high school students.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $25,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.