Culture of Tech

Culture of Tech

Preparation guide for IAs leading the three Culture of Tech sessions on identity, access, and AI ethics. Review this before camp, then reference before each session to prepare thoughtful facilitation and create meaningful discussions with scholars.

Culture of Tech Session Slides

Access the slides for all three CoT sessions below. Make a copy to customize for your camp.
1️⃣ Session 1: Kode With Klossy & Me
Identity, representation, and belonging in tech
2️⃣ Session 2: AI Ethics
Ethical considerations around AI in today's tech landscape
3️⃣ Session 3: Creating Opportunity
Access barriers and equity in tech

How to Prepare for a CoT Session

Follow these steps to prepare for leading each Culture of Tech session:

Step 1: Understand Your Purpose

Review the three main goals of Culture of Tech sessions:
  1. Inform | Help scholars understand the challenges that women, gender-expansive youth, and people of color face in tech—and why their voices matter.
  1. Reflect | Offer a safe space for scholars to discuss their own experiences, identities, and feelings about tech.
  1. Empower | Inspire scholars to envision how they might change the tech industry as future leaders.

Step 2: Review the Session Materials

Before facilitating, you must:
Read through the entire slide deck (don't skip slides)
Watch all embedded videos
Answer all reflection questions yourself (experience it as a scholar would)
Read any linked articles or resources
Review speaker notes for facilitation guidance
Why this matters: You can't facilitate a meaningful discussion if you haven't engaged with the content deeply yourself.

Step 3: Personalize Your Script

The slides include suggested scripts, but you should make them your own.
How to personalize:
  • Adjust language to reflect your personality and speaking style
  • Add personal anecdotes or examples (when appropriate)
  • Modify discussion prompts to feel more natural to you
  • Keep the core content and learning objectives intact
Original script: "Today we're going to talk about identity and representation in tech."
Personalized version: "Alright y'all, we're taking a break from code today to talk about something really important—who gets to be in tech, and why it matters that YOU'RE here."

Step 4: Prepare for Discussion

Create "back-pocket" prompts. Silence is normal during discussions, but it can feel uncomfortable. Prepare 2-3 additional prompts for each discussion section in case scholars need more scaffolding. Some examples of back-pocket prompts for Session 1 include:
  • "Has anyone ever felt like they didn't belong in a coding or STEM space? You don't have to share details, just raise your hand or drop a ✋ in chat."
  • "Think about a time when seeing someone who looked like you doing something made you feel like you could do it too. What was that experience?"
  • "What's one stereotype about who can code that you want to break?"
Prepare your speaker notes. Decide how you'll access your notes during facilitation:
  • Print them out for quick reference
  • Use Presenter Mode in Google Slides to view notes alongside slides
  • Write key points on paper for more flexibility

Step 5: Plan the Space

Think about how you want to set up the physical or virtual environment to foster discussion.
💻  Virtual Camps
  • Use a special Zoom background to signal this is a different kind of session
  • Consider playing music as scholars arrive
  • Decide how you'll use Zoom features (chat, reactions, breakout rooms)
📍 In-Person Camps
  • Arrange seating in a circle (not rows) to promote interaction
  • Consider sitting on the floor or in a casual arrangement
  • Remove barriers like tables if possible

Step 6: Coordinate with Your Team

Meet with your co-IA:
  • Align on goals for the session
  • Decide who will facilitate which parts
  • Practice facilitating together (optional but helpful)
  • Plan how you'll handle challenging moments (scholar says something harmful, no one responds, etc.)
Communicate with instructors:
  • Let them know what role they'll play (support logistics, monitor chat, participate if invited)
  • Ask for their input on discussion strategies for your specific group of scholars
  • Request feedback on your facilitation plan

Best Practices During CoT Sessions

Culture of Tech sessions are some of the most meaningful moments of camp. Scholars often remember these conversations long after they've forgotten specific lines of code. Your job as an IA is to create a space where scholars can be their full selves, grapple with big questions, and imagine their place in shaping technology's future.

Create a Safe Space

Establish norms at the start
  • What's shared here stays here (confidentiality)
  • Respect all perspectives, even if you disagree
  • It's okay to pass if you don't want to share
  • Listen actively when others are speaking
Model vulnerability
  • Share your own experiences (when appropriate) to set the tone
  • Admit when you don't know something
  • Acknowledge discomfort—these conversations can be hard

Facilitate Rich Discussions

Invite multiple voices
  • "We've heard from a few people—who else wants to share?"
  • "I'm noticing some folks haven't spoken yet. Anyone want to add something?"
  • Call on specific scholars if needed, but offer an opt-out: "Maya, I'd love to hear your thoughts, but no pressure if you'd rather pass."
Respect silence
  • Don't rush to fill every pause—scholars need time to think
  • Use wait time (count to 10 in your head before moving on)
  • If silence extends too long, use a back-pocket prompt
Respond thoughtfully to scholar contributions
  • Express gratitude: "Thank you for sharing that, it takes courage to be vulnerable."
  • Reiterate what they said: "So what I'm hearing is..."
  • Invite others to build: "Does anyone want to add to what Jordan just said?"
  • Ask follow-up questions: "Can you say more about that?" or "What made you think of that example?"

Prioritize Listening Over Covering Content

  • It's okay to not finish all the slides. These sessions are about meaningful conversation, not checking boxes.
  • Set a timer so you can fully engage in discussion without constantly worrying about time.
  • Let scholars guide the conversation (within reason). If they're deeply engaged with a topic, stay there longer rather than rushing to the next slide.

Use Journaling as Reflection, Not Homework

Scholars don't need to take notes during CoT. Encourage introspection and personal reflection, not memorization of facts.
❌ Don't say: "Take out your journals and answer questions 1-3."
✅ Do say: "Take a few minutes to reflect quietly. You can write in your journal, think silently, or doodle—whatever helps you process what we just talked about."

Handle Challenging Moments

If a scholar shares something harmful or insensitive…
  1. Don't ignore it, but also don't call them out publicly
  1. Redirect gently: "I hear what you're saying. I want to offer a different perspective..."
  1. Follow up privately after the session if needed
If no one is responding…
  1. Check your question—is it too vague or too personal?
  1. Use a back-pocket prompt to scaffold
  1. Try a different format (chat instead of verbal, small groups instead of whole group)
If the conversation goes off track…
  1. Acknowledge the tangent: "This is a really interesting conversation, and..."
  1. Redirect: "Let's bring it back to [topic] because I want to make sure we cover..."

CoT Preparation Checklist

Before a Culture of Tech session, ensure that you have:
Reviewed entire slide deck
Watched all videos
Answered reflection questions myself
Personalized script to sound like me
Created 2-3 back-pocket discussion prompts
Decided how to access speaker notes
Planned space setup (seating/Zoom)
Coordinated with co-IA on roles
Communicated with instructors about their role

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if scholars don't want to talk?
A: Try smaller discussion formats (pairs, small groups) before whole group. Use chat or reactions in virtual camps. Make sure your questions aren't too personal or vague.
Q: Can I share my own experiences during CoT?
A: Yes, when appropriate! Modeling vulnerability helps scholars feel safe sharing. Just don't dominate the conversation—keep the focus on scholars.
Q: What if I don't know the answer to a scholar's question?
A: It's okay to say "I don't know, but that's a great question. Let's explore that together" or "I'll look into that and follow up with you."
Q: Should instructors participate in discussions?
A: Only if IAs invite them to. Instructors should support with safety and logistics, but IAs lead the conversation.
Q: What if a scholar shares something deeply personal or concerning?
A: Thank them for sharing, then follow up privately after the session. If you're concerned about their safety or wellbeing, escalate to your camp's instructors and the KWK team.