Our Story
Based in Stafford Virginia and established 2016, the impetus for YTN’s founding was the desire to help develop and produce the STEM-skilled and technically-savvy workforce the U.S. direly needs. To this end YTN has served many client organizations and thousands of youth and young adults throughout the Washington DC Metro region. The YTN staff converted their professional interests into a student experience designed to engage, promote retention, and stimulate an excitement to learn. YTN partners with like-minded nonprofit and for-profit organizations in the DC Metro area and overseas to ensure its programs and activities provide youth the maximum exposure to experts with practical experience in various STEAM disciplines.
Based in Stafford Virginia and established 2016, the impetus for YTN’s founding was the desire to help develop and produce the STEM-skilled and technically-savvy workforce the U.S. direly needs. To this end YTN has served many client organizations and thousands of youth and young adults throughout the Washington DC Metro region. The YTN staff converted their professional interests into a student experience designed to engage, promote retention, and stimulate an excitement to learn. YTN partners with like-minded nonprofit and for-profit organizations in the DC Metro area and overseas to ensure its programs and activities provide youth the maximum exposure to experts with practical experience in various STEAM disciplines.
Based in Stafford Virginia and established 2016, the impetus for YTN’s founding was the desire to help develop and produce the STEM-skilled and technically-savvy workforce the U.S. direly needs. To this end YTN has served many client organizations and thousands of youth and young adults throughout the Washington DC Metro region. The YTN staff converted their professional interests into a student experience designed to engage, promote retention, and stimulate an excitement to learn. YTN partners with like-minded nonprofit and for-profit organizations in the DC Metro area and overseas to ensure its programs and activities provide youth the maximum exposure to experts with practical experience in various STEAM disciplines.
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission & Vision
Inspire students to “Think, Grow, and Achieve” through programs that capture the imagination, generate curiosity, and build confidence.
Through innovative and inspirational educational experiences, students of all ages will choose, pursue, and achieve a STEAM-based career path and career.
Inspire students to “Think, Grow, and Achieve” through programs that capture the imagination, generate curiosity, and build confidence.
Through innovative and inspirational educational experiences, students of all ages will choose, pursue, and achieve a STEAM-based career path and career.
Our Approach
Our Approach
We use best practice instructional approaches, low and hi-tech hands-on equipment, and standards-based learning activities to engage students in quality STEM learning experiences. Project-based learning, augmented and virtual reality, or the engineering design process, is the basis for most of our enrichment activities.
We use best practice instructional approaches, low and hi-tech hands-on equipment, and standards-based learning activities to engage students in quality STEM learning experiences. Project-based learning, augmented and virtual reality, or the engineering design process, is the basis for most of our enrichment activities.
Project-Based Learning
PBL is an instructional practice focused on engaging students with real-world and interdisciplinary problems to solve. It is student-based and develops skills such as constructive exploration, goal setting, collaboration, communication, and reflection skills.
Project-Based Learning
PBL is an instructional practice focused on engaging students with real-world and interdisciplinary problems to solve. It is student-based and develops skills such as constructive exploration, goal setting, collaboration, communication, and reflection skills.
Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality
AR/VR provides almost-real experiences of theoretical instruction that students receive. It is interactive and engaging with models in virtual spaces that puts the student in the driver’s seat and helps to increase their interest in and understanding of sometimes hard-to-conceptualize STEM subject matter.
Augmented Reality/
Virtual Reality
AR/VR provides almost-real experiences of theoretical instruction that students receive. It is interactive and engaging with models in virtual spaces that puts the student in the driver’s seat and helps to increase their interest in and understanding of sometimes hard-to-conceptualize STEM subject matter.
Engineering Design Process
The EDP is a common series of steps engineers use to create functional products and processes. In the context of STEM education — the EDP provides students with systematic, orderly, open-ended ways of approaching problems and designing solutions for those problems. Using the EDP, students develop and hone their skills to become problem-solvers, lifelong learners, and valued employees.
Engineering Design Process
The EDP is a common series of steps engineers use to create functional products and processes. In the context of STEM education— the EDP provides students with systematic, orderly, open-ended ways of approaching problems and designing solutions for those problems. Using the EDP, students develop and hone their skills to become problem-solvers, lifelong learners, and valued employees.
Testimonials
Testimonials
“My son really enjoyed your Engineering Design Camp. Thank you for providing a fun and stimulating experience.”
“My son really enjoyed your Engineering Design Camp. Thank you for providing a fun and stimulating experience.”
“My daughter learned so much from your 3D modeling class, thank you!”
“My daughter learned so much from your 3D modeling class, thank you!”
“My daughter was super excited to attend your drone camp, she now owns a drone!”
“My daughter was super excited to attend your drone camp, she now owns a drone!”
Bobby Blackwell
President & CEO
In 2016, Bobby founded Youth Technology Network (YTN), Inc., to increase secondary and post-secondary commitment to Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Math (STEAM) education and careers. Bobby is a retired Army officer, business owner and currently serves as a YTN instructor and president.
David Blackwell
Vice President & COO
David joined YTN in 2018, he is a retired Air Force officer and has served in the federal government for over 30 years. David is a certified Dimensions of Success Observer for STEM training. He has supported Big Brothers Big Sisters and reading literacy programs for youth and is currently a YTN instructor and its vice president.
Bobby Blackwell
President & CEO
In 2016, Bobby founded Youth Technology Network (YTN), Inc., to increase secondary and post-secondary commitment to Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Math (STEAM) education and careers. Bobby is a retired Army officer, business owner and currently serves as a YTN instructor and president.
David Blackwell
Vice President & COO
