The  mission of the Technology Awarness Program (TAP) is to promote interest in the study of information technology and is designed to expose under-represented groups (specifically, women and racial minorities) in high school to the field of IT and college life.  The Information Technology Research Institute creates, funds and coordinates this program with the assistance of the Office of Diversity Programs. 

In previous years, the program gave students a brief overview of software development practices and principles before they toured the It departments of local companies. This curriculum gave students a wide overview of practical information technology but provided little depth.

Thanks to the facebook head-start, this year’s students quickly transitioned from classes in project management and the systems development life cycle into their project work. TAP instructors asked each student team to use technology in some way to improve a product on the market from eco-capitalist company terracycle. Students conducted business analysis field studies at Wal-Mart and Home Depot to better understand the in-store marketing of terracycle products.

By week’s end, each team presented their technology-based solution to tap staff, Walton college faculty, and versus companies. Some teams chose to improve an individual product while others used technology to improve the marketing for a product. the presentations were some of the best Bristow has seen in TAP.

For more information about this program contact Eric T. Bradford ebradford@walton.uark.edu, 479-575-5291 or Barbara Loftin bloftin@walton.uark.edu 479-575-4557