History

AppJam+ was initially developed in 2012 to address the need to close the Digital Divide by providing access to technology to local communities who otherwise would not have access to new technology teaching and learning. AppJam+ affords middle school students the opportunity to grow in technological skills, while in school, and inspire them to stay on track to high school graduation. With the proper technology tools and opportunities to engage with higher education and business, underserved students in Orange County can become the most competitive technical experts in the world. With mentoring from highly skilled university students, ongoing support from their own schools sites, engagement from community partners and industry partners we believe AppJam+ can provide life changing experiences for young people.
 
20

Schools

561

Students Reached

152

Mentors Trained

  • 2017

    AppJam+ hired it's first full time employee, a Program Director. The program hosted its' 2nd Spring session, which expanded to 5 sites this year. With over 180 mentor applicants applying for the Spring, only 25 were selected and trained.
    SPRING - Schools worked with:
    Rancho San Joaquin Middle School, Walton Intermediate - Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Irvine Intermediate - Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Advanced Learning Academy, Valadez Middle School Academy

  • 2016

    AppJam+ is now housed under Dreams for Schools and is a signature program of the growing nonprofit. The program expanded to a total of 12 schools for the year and served 300 students. In addition to the Fall program, Spring and Summer programs were launched for the first time. Spring Program featured 3 schools, while the 1st Summer program featured 4 schools in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education.
    SPRING - Schools worked with:
    Rancho San Joaquin Middle School, Doig Intermediate - Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Harbor Day School
    SUMMER - Schools worked with:
    Yorba Middle School, Portola Middle School, Cerro Villa Middle School, Harbor Learning Center
    FALL - Schools worked with:
    Valadez Middle School Academy, Jordan Intermediate - Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Ralson Intermediate - Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Harbor Day School, Yorba Middle School

  • 2015

    In 2015, the program continued with the 5 schools for the Fall season with 5 sites and over 60 students.
    Schools worked with: Girls Inc., of Orange County, McGarvin Intermediate - Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Walton Intermediate - Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Harbor Day School, Saint Anne's School

  • 2014

    In its’ 3rd year, AppJam+ continued its expansion by adding a University Partner, Saddleback Community College, which increased the total mentor count to 24, while still maintaining 5 locations. The 2014 program served over 80 students at the following sites: Girls Inc., of Orange County, Walton Intermediate - Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Harbor Day School, Boys & Girls Club of San Juan Capistrano, Tiger Woods Learning Center

  • 2013

    AppJam+ continued its growth in 2013 by expanding the 10 week program to 5 different site locations. There were close to 80 middle school students enrolled as part of the AppJam+ 2013 program and over 20 mentors from UC Irvine. Additionally, in 2013, AppJam+ was recognized as an outstanding STEM program by Chelsea Clinton and the Clinton Global Initiative.
    Schools worked with: Girls Inc., of Orange County, Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Harbor Day School, Tarbut V'Torvah, Tiger Woods Learning Center

  • 2012

    AppJam+ began and was fiscally sponsored and incubated under OC STEM, a network of key STEM leaders passionate about improving STEM education in Orange County. It was piloted in 2012 to a group of 43 students from Tiger Woods Learning Center and Rancho San Joaquin Middle School with 11 college mentors and one University Partner (University of California, Irvine).