Open Youth Networks, an innovative program with a national reputation for providing high quality participatory media and digital education for under-resourced youth, is joining the department of Interactive Arts and Media at Columbia College. Open Youth Networks, designed to help bridge the digital participation gap, educates girls and urban youth to use emerging technologies, games and social media to make a better world for themselves and their communities.

Through IAM at Columbia College, Open Youth Networks will be able to:

• Match students in web-development and digital service learning projects with youth and community groups;
• Offer Saturday workshops for teachers/high school youth in pre-programming skills, new technologies and social media;
• Conduct summits, symposia or conferences on topics such as girls in technology and serious games;
• Partner with CPS schools to consult on curriculum alignment and college preparation for computer programming; and,
• Serve as an incubator for innovations in games, apps and social utility tools used for non-profit, community and social justice use.

Annette Barbier, Chair of the Department of Interactive Arts and Media is thrilled to have Open Youth Networks join Columbia College.

“This partnership will provide real and meaningful opportunities for our students and faculty to connect with urban youth, communities and non-profit groups interested in using new user-driven technologies, games and participatory media for social good.”

The Interactive Arts and Media Department prepares students to create interactive art, media, and games that are innovative and compelling.  Students emerge with strong foundations in aesthetics, theory, technology, cultural understanding, critical thinking, and creative problem solving. The combination of media theory and technology, enlivened by practice, prepares students for diverse and successful careers in interactive arts, multimedia, web design, interaction and interface design, and game design.

OYN Founder, Mindy Faber will continue to oversee the program. 2010 project initiatives include: The 3G Summit: The Future of Girls, Gaming and Gender to take place in August 2010 and The Green Games Institute, to be conducted in collaboration with the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency in Planning’s Future Leaders in Planning group.