The Emoti-Con! NYC Youth Media & Technology Challenge is now accepting applications for students to present innovative projects at our 12th annual project fair at the New York Public Library Bartos Forum on Saturday, May 9. Read below for details on the event and how to apply.

Presenting at Emoti-Con: Who can apply and what types of projects are accepted?

Emoti-Con is a culminating celebration of the creative work produced all year within the in- and after-school programs of the Hive NYC learning network, and at public schools participating in CS4ALL NYC and other classes/programs. Since 2009, 1200 students from over 95 local schools and organizations have presented their innovations at Emoti-Con. Here are some requirements to present.

• Must be middle, high school or GED students.
• Must attend public schools in the NYC region.
• 1-10 students per project team.
• Must present an idea or innovation, designed by students, that uses digital technology or media as a tool for positive change in the world around them.
• Projects can be in any stage of the design process: from ideas to fully-executed prototypes.
• Projects types: Apps, games, websites, podcasts, videos, robotics & circuits, assistive and adaptive tech, VR/AR, 3D models, digital art, music or performance, social media campaigns, etc.
• Project setup & lunch starts at 11am, the event ends at 4pm.

What's Emoti-Con like?

Emoti-Con is designed, planned and facilitated by young leaders and a steering committee from Global Kids, Mouse, the New York Public Library and Parsons School of Design. The event is a fun, fast-paced, controlled-chaos, celebration that centers around young innovators and their visions for the future, connecting them to programs and career professionals to support their goals. Here’s the agenda for the day:

Watch this video to see what Emoti-Con is really like:

EMOTI-CON 2016 from Urban Arts Partnership on Vimeo.

Agenda:

Project teams & student groups only:

• 11am: Lunch & setup for project teams
• 12pm: Group “Make Challenge”: a hands-on, fast-paced team game to start the day.
• 12:30pm: Career Pathways Panel: professionals from applied media & technology careers answer questions about their education and careers

All attendees (including audience/guests):

• 1:15pm: The Emoti-Con Project Fair: Student teams show off their designs to groups of judges and to peers from similar programs around the city.
• 2:40pm: Keynote Address: Errol King, Creative Technologist from Google
• 3:00pm: Project Fair Awards Ceremony, Game, and Raffle
• 4:00pm: Goodbye & clean-up

Ready to Apply?

Check out the Planning Guide for Project Teams to get your students ready to apply for Emoti-Con, then fill out the application here:

Can I come if I’m not presenting?

Yes! Guests (of all ages) are invited to attend the Project Fair starting at 1:15pm. Here is the link to register as an audience member: Guest Registration. Note: Lunch and swag bags are reserved for presenting project teams & other student attendees.

Support Teen Innovation in NYC: Sponsorship Opportunities

Become a Sponsor to help connect the next generation of tech innovators to college and career pathways. Since our first event, Emoti-Con has celebrated over 1200 teen designers, 89% of whom identify as students of color, from over 100 informal and formal youth-serving learning institutions who believe in digital innovation as a tool for positive change in the world around them.

Want to donate raffle prizes or swag gifts? Email us at Emoticon@mouse.org!

Stay in Touch

Follow the event on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates, or email Emoticon@mouse.org with questions.