Supporting International Stuttering Awareness Day: Empowering Voices Through Tech

Today, on International Stuttering Awareness Day, we honor the courage, strength, and resilience of those who stutter. At VIBES, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to express themselves, free from judgment or fear, especially when it comes to sharing their emotions.

Our platform is designed to help students feel confident in voicing their thoughts and feelings, creating a safe space where emotional development and mental health are prioritized. Stuttering should never hold someone back from being heard. We are committed to empowering all students—whether they speak fluently or not—by providing tools that encourage self-expression, inclusivity, and support.

To everyone who stutters, your voice matters. We celebrate your journey and stand with you in breaking down barriers to communication, one word at a time.

hashtag#StutteringAwareness hashtag#EmpowerEveryVoice hashtag#MentalHealthMatters hashtag#

Highlighting the Remarkable Work of Our Summer 2024 Interns at Kidzhack

This summer, Kidzhack had the privilege of hosting three exceptional interns who brought their unique talents, passions, and perspectives to our team. These students have shown remarkable dedication, creativity, and skill, contributing significantly to our projects and embodying the spirit of innovation and growth that Kidzhack values. We are excited to highlight their achievements and the impact they have made during their time with us.

Declan McKoen: From Coding Prodigy to Cybersecurity Enthusiast

Declan McKoen, a third-year Computer Science major at the University of Florida, discovered his passion for programming during his freshman year and quickly developed expertise in Python and C++. Beyond his love for coding, Declan is also a skilled pianist with over a decade of experience, demonstrating his diverse talents and interests. His passion for technology is driven by the growing digital landscape and the critical role tech skills play in today’s world, particularly in cybersecurity. Declan is committed to protecting personal information and online identities from cyber threats.

During his internship at Kidzhack, Declan worked on various software development projects, where he honed his skills in communication, project management, and new development tools and frameworks. He credits the guidance of his mentors, especially Dr. Brown, for helping him navigate complex tasks efficiently. Declan’s experience has been invaluable in his personal and professional growth, preparing him for his future career as a software engineer. He looks forward to applying his newfound knowledge in a research lab this fall, where he will use machine learning algorithms to assess the recyclability of e-waste, tackling a significant environmental challenge.

Eren Chang: A Journey from Biotech Aspirations to Frontend Development

Eren Chang, another standout Computer Science major, has always been surrounded by technology, which naturally led him to pursue a career in the tech industry. His passion for innovation in the biotech field is fueled by a desire to use technology to prevent the loss of loved ones to diseases. During his internship at Kidzhack, Eren contributed to our VIBES project, which focuses on monitoring adolescent mental health in schools—a cause that resonates deeply with him.

The internship was a transformative experience for Eren, who gained valuable insights into the daily life of a developer. Beyond programming, he learned the importance of time management, weekly scrum meetings, and the realities of software engineering. Eren discovered a surprising passion for frontend development, gaining experience with Angular and finding joy in creating user-friendly interfaces. His advice to future interns is to stay open to new experiences, as you never know what new interests you might discover along the way.

Esse Ciego: Blending Creativity and Logic in Tech Innovation

At the intersection of creativity and logic stands Esse Ciego (they/them), a rising star in the tech industry who seamlessly blends their artistic and analytical passions. Pursuing a major in Computer Science with a minor in Communication Studies at the University of Florida, Esse brings a unique perspective to their work. Their love for reading, dancing, and outdoor adventures reflects a deeper passion for connecting with and supporting others—an ethos they carry into their professional journey.

Esse’s inspiration for a career in technology stems from their high school experiences in art and a challenging Calculus course. “I realized I like project-based work from taking four years of art in high school,” they shared, “and I also learned I liked problem-solving, using logic, and learning abstract concepts from my Calculus 1 course.” This blend of creativity and problem-solving skills set Esse on a path toward a tech career where they can innovate and make meaningful contributions. Their time at Kidzhack has been marked by a commitment to integrating these passions into their work, making them a valuable and dynamic member of the team.

A Bright Future for Our Interns

The contributions of Declan, Eren, and Esse have left a lasting impact on Kidzhack. Their unique talents and passions have driven meaningful progress in our projects, and their dedication has enriched our team culture. We are proud to have been a part of their journey and excited to see how they will continue to shape the future of technology with their creativity, intelligence, and drive. As they move forward in their careers, we know they will carry the lessons and experiences from their time at Kidzhack with them, paving the way for even greater accomplishments.

Mental Health

Prioritizing mental health is crucial to preventing school tragedies. By providing students with the support they need to manage their emotions, build resilience, and seek help when needed, we create safer school environments for everyone. Let’s work together to ensure that every student feels seen, heard, and supported. Mental health matters – it can save lives.

Back to School 2024/2025

As students return to school, creating a supportive environment that prioritizes mental health is more crucial than ever. VIBES is designed to empower schools to foster mental wellness, equipping educators with the tools to identify and address students' needs effectively. Join us in making a positive impact—because every student deserves to thrive in a nurturing environment.

Together, we can build schools where mental health is a priority, and success is within reach for every child.

KidzHack Spring Interns 2024

Celebrating Our Spring 2024 Interns at KidzHack

At KidzHack, our Spring 2024 interns were truly exceptional! They learned, excelled, and collaborated to achieve their goals and tackle challenges head-on. Driven by unique inspirations to impact the world, they seized this opportunity to grow in new areas. There's no doubt they'll advance to become innovative thinkers and visionary leaders making positive changes in the tech world.

Maddie Glaum: A Visionary Leader in Tech and the Arts

Maddie Glaum

Maddie is a innovative thinker who will leave her mark in the tech world.

Maddie Glaum is a third-year Computer Science major at the University of Florida. Maddie is passionate about the intersection of tech and the arts. She founded WiNGHacks to empower underrepresented voices in the industry, especially women. Through her internship at KidzHack, Maddie honed her skills in AWS and Agile methodology, setting a solid foundation for her future in software engineering.

Donald Arango: Innovating Healthcare Access

Advice to future interns:

“Branch out and maximize your learning.”

Donald Arango, a third-year Computer Science student at UF, is dedicated to making healthcare and medical treatments more accessible through technology. He’s working on a research project to improve CT scan imaging and reduce radiation exposure. During his internship at Vibes, Donald gained valuable skills in cloud computing and collaboration. His advice to future interns: “Branch out and maximize your learning.”

Blake Wood: Championing Mental Health and Climate Change

Blake’s advice to other interns:

“Ask questions and be productive.”

Blake Wood is a third-year Data Science major and he is passionate about mental health and climate change. He’s working on data-driven platforms to support kids’ mental health and advance climate change research. Through his KidzHack internship, Blake honed his full-stack development skills and learned the value of collaboration. His advice: “Ask questions and be proactive.”

Sophia Dadla: Solving Societal Issues Through Tech

Sophia’s Advice:

“Work closely with fellow interns and maintain good communication “

Sophia Dadla, a Computer Science major, is dedicated to solving societal issues through technology. Inspired by her parents, she focuses on environmentalism and developed web games to help kids learn to read. During her internship, Sophia mastered AWS Lambda and API Gateway, gaining invaluable real-world experience. Her advice: “Work closely with fellow interns and maintain good communication.”

Kevin Su: Making Technology Accessible

Kevin Su, a Computer Engineering major, is passionate about making technology affordable and accessible. Inspired by a high school robotics class, he’s developing a web app to reduce wait times at food banks. Through his internship, Kevin gained valuable skills in AWS and teamwork. His advice: “Communicate with your teammates.”

These exceptional interns have not only contributed significantly to KidzHack but have also grown immensely in their professional journeys. We are proud of their achievements and excited to see the positive impact they will continue to make in the tech world.

KidzHack Awarded Competitive Grant from the National Science Foundation

Small Business Innovation Research Program Provides Seed Funding for R&D 

[Gainesville, FL], February 8, 2021 – KidzHack has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for $255,866 to conduct research and development (R&D) work on an online platform to promote social-emotional well-being for students in sixth through eighth grades.

Every year, 12.5 million children across the United States are enrolled in middle school (grades 6-8). These years demand new social skills in a larger and more complicated environment with an increased possibility of peer conflicts. Envisioned by the company in collaboration with Èlan Burton, M.D., VIBES will provide engaging content for adolescents to learn how to manage their emotions as well as be more socially adaptable among their peers. 

“We are grateful for the support from the National Science Foundation to advance our mission of helping children develop into emotionally healthy and established young adults,” said Dr. Wanda Eugene, Managing Director for KidzHack. “And with this platform, VIBES, we will have a tool to help young people engage in flexible, scalable, and culturally relevant social-emotional learning.”

KidzHack is seeking to fill a void in the behavioral health space from other comparable programs by providing an intelligent system that students in grades 6-8 can use inside and outside of the classroom that is personalized to their needs.  “VIBES will not only support the growth and development of students in grades 6-8, but also serve as a great resource for parents, educators, counselors, and the like to support students’ overall well-being,” said Sandra Roach, Principal Investigator

“NSF is proud to support the technology of the future by thinking beyond incremental developments and funding the most creative, impactful ideas across all markets and areas of science and engineering,” said Andrea Belz, Division Director of the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships at NSF. “With the support of our research funds, any deep technology startup or small business can guide basic science into meaningful solutions that address tremendous needs.” 

About KidzHack

KidzHack is a tech company dedicated to helping children develop into mature, fully functioning young adults by providing the technological tools necessary to change the world around them. They like to describe it as “hacking the future.” For more information, please visit www.kidzhack.com.

About the National Science Foundation's Small Business Programs: America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $1.75 million to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $8.1 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. To learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, visit: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/

Contact:

Sandra Roach

KidzHack

sandrar@mydeepdesigns.com