Southern Minnesota YCTP
The Southern Minnesota Chapter of Black Data Processing Associates sponsors a Youth Computer Training Program (YCTP) to area students. This program teaches high school students a variety of technologies, with an emphasis on web programming, including HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Javascript, PHP and MySQL along with project management and presentation skills.
The BDPA National Conference
Each year, a select group of the YCTP participants are chosen to represent the Southern Minnesota chapter of BDPA at the High School Computer Competition (HSCC) at the BDPA National Conference. Other selected students attend the conference and participate in the Youth Technology Camp (YTC), a series of seminars and activities to provide further education to the students on topics ranging from technology to careers to project management skills. The HSCC and YTC together were designed to introduce youth (entering grades 8th through 12th) to the field of Information Technology, encourage them to seek higher levels of education, and groom them to become the next generation of IT professionals.
Southern MN... a model for success!
The Southern Minnesota team has found great success competing at the HSCC, placing in the top 2 during each of the past 4 years, and earning a total of $35,000.00 in scholarships. The 2006 team turned in another fantastic performance, placing 2nd in the nation at the National Conference in Los Angeles, from August 1-4, 2006. Check out the team's LA experience!!
About BDPA
Founded in 1975, Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) is a national non-profit organization with the mission to be a global member-focused organization that positions its members at the forefront of the IT industry. BDPA is committed to delivering IT excellence to our members, strategic partners, and community. BDPA, the national organization hosts an annual IT Youth Conference and a web development programming competition for high school students grades nine through twelve. The organization has worked for close to thirty years to close the gap in information technology, today termed the 'digital divide'.
BDPA Southern Minnesota Chapter was chartered in May 1999. The chapter hosts monthly program meetings each third Thursday, conducts periodic technical training sessions, teaches computer concepts and programming to area high school students and recently presented seven Information Technology college scholarships for the 2005/2006 academic year.
For additional information on the Youth Computer Training Program (which begins its next season in December, 2006), please contact Zachary Garbow at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it