Are you a high school student ready to make a real impact? Code the City is a two-day challenge where teens use AI and design thinking to build solutions for Charlotte youth, by Charlotte youth. No experience needed. Just bring your ideas.

Join Do Greater Charlotte for a design sprint where you’ll team up with fellow big thinkers, learn how to use AI, and develop solutions to a community challenge.

So, What’s the Challenge? 

You’ve probably heard the term “teen takeovers.” But what if they’re not actually the problem? What if they’re a sign that too many young people don’t have enough places to belong, things to do, or opportunities to connect? Instead of asking, “How do we stop teen takeovers?” we’ll ask a better design question: “How might we create a city where young people have more meaningful ways to connect, and spend their time?”

So, What Will We Do?

We will work in small teams to better understand the issue, hear different perspectives, and brainstorm innovative ways AI and technology can help create safe, engaging experiences for young people and the broader community. Through AI prompting and vibe coding, you’ll transform your ideas into interactive prototypes with support from industry mentors who will guide you every step of the way.

On the final day, you’ll present your solution, demonstrating how young people can use creativity, technology, and design to tackle real-world challenges.

You’ll have the chance to make your voice heard, build new skills, connect with professionals, and show how youth-led innovation can create meaningful change.

WHEN:  AUGUST 17 & 18

• Monday, Aug. 17 – 1-4pm (Snacks provided) 
• Tuesday, Aug. 18 – 10am-4pm (Lunch + Snacks provided)

WHERE:  Sparkhouse Uptown  – 500 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202

For more information, contact kelsey@dogreater.org.

Do Greater Charlotte hosted the inaugural Design-a-thon with 20 Charlotte teens in February 2022. Small groups of students were paired with creative professionals and mentors who guided them through the design-thinking process. Groups worked together to identify a community challenge, research and gather data, generate ideas, prototype and test their solution, and present their final product to a panel of community members.