The Creation of TAMEE
The Technology- and Media-Enhanced Experiences Program, also known as TAMEE, was first created (in principle) by Charles “cp3o” Parks, III in June, 2008. Mr. Parks taught a Tech- and Media-based, Out-of-School Time (OST) curriculum for Creighton University’s Upward Bound Program. Over 50 students participated in a variety of activities based on an incentive-driven curriculum designed for disadvantaged college-bound high school students. The prize for that particular year was a new laptop computer.
Points were given to students based upon their participation of activities both in- and out-of-classroom. Mr. Parks created a website showing the leaderboard for all of the participating students. As a result, the session had 100% class participation, not only because the curriculum was relevant and of interest to the students, but also because no student wanted to be at the bottom of the leaderboard.
That summer, Mr. Parks was selected as “Teacher of the Year” by students and staff of the Upward Bound Program.
Since its inaugural debut, TAMEE has served hundreds of middle and high school students (many of whom are on Free and Reduced Lunch) and given away thousands of dollars in prizes and incentives throughout the Omaha, Nebraska area.
Beginning in 2023, TAMEE will be expanding its footprint to offer on-site, mobile, and virtual programming to young adults, senior communities, and professionals around the world.
In the Spotlight: TAMEE Goes to Facebook
In April, 2019, Mr. Parks led a team of three TAMEE students from the Morton Panther Pack to participate in Facebook’s Engineer for the Week (EFTW) Spring Sprint. Together, they created a chatbot called My App Talks to Teens, or “MATTT” for short. MATTT was a chatbot that could help support students emotionally and offer information on bullying and other sensitive topics.
For their hard work, commitment, and dedication, the team was selected as finalists among other teams nationwide to participate in the EFTW Achievement Summit at Facebook Headquarters in Menlo Park, California.
While at Facebook, the team had the opportunity to create a game called “Trashketball,” where players could build their consciousness of how undisposed trash negatively impacts the livelihood of animals. The objective was for players to try to make a basket, and the more trash they got in the basket, the more animals were saved. Throughout development of the game, the team would present their work to Facebook engineers, talk through changes, and work collaboratively with other teams. In their presentation, the game showcased the youngsters’ passion for the environment.
Special thanks to The Sherwood Foundation, Collective for Youth, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands, for being instrumental in the success of this opportunity.
Related Articles:
TAMEE Timeline
Summer, 2008
Creighton University – Omaha, Nebraska
April, 2013 – February, 2014
Bryant Center Association – Omaha, Nebraska
December, 2016 – February, 2017
Urban League of Nebraska, Inc. – Omaha, Nebraska
Site: Monroe Public Middle School
February, 2017 – May, 2019
Collective for Youth – Omaha, Nebraska
Site: Morton Public Middle School
Lead Agency: Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands
April, 2017 – September, 2018
Collective for Youth – Omaha, Nebraska
Site: Lewis and Clark Public Middle School
Lead Agency: Civic Nebraska
Summer, 2017; October, 2018
Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands – Omaha, Nebraska
Site: Morton Public Middle School
September, 2017 – December, 2017
Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands – Omaha, Nebraska
Site: Skinner Public Elementary School (5th & 6th Grades)
October, 2017 – May, 2019
Collective for Youth – Omaha, Nebraska
Site: King Science & Tech Public Middle School
Lead Agency: Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands
October, 2017 – June, 2019
Collective for Youth – Omaha, Nebraska
Site: McMillan Public Middle School
Lead Agency: YMCA
December, 2017 – June, 2018
The Sherwood Foundation – Omaha, Nebraska
Various Collective for Youth Sites
June, 2018 – June, 2019
Collective for Youth – Omaha, Nebraska
Site: Nathan Hale Public Middle School
Lead Agency: DREAM Foundation
Summer, 2018
Complete KIDS
Site: All Saints Catholic School
October, 2018 – November, 2018
Collective for Youth – Omaha, Nebraska
Site: Norris Public Middle School
Lead Agency: Completely KIDS