Bird2Branch collaborated with Code Joint to host an informative panelist session for 25 students on competitive programming and the future of computer science, especially its applications in concepts like medicine, engineering, and sustainability. Panelists walked through why USACO exists, how to succeed, and multiple venues of research.

Panelists:

• Dr. Brian Dean, Director of the United States Computing Olympiad (USACO), Professor and Chair of Computer Science at Clemson University

• Dr. Ping Zhang, associate professor and director of the AI in Medicine & AI in Digital Healthcare Labs at The Ohio State University

Learn more about USACO: https://usaco.org/index.php?page=history

Learn more about AI in Medicine: https://www.pingzhang.net/lab.html

Bird2Branch staff and leadership had the opportunity to sponsor and co-host Daydream Columbus, part of the world's biggest Game Jam that happened simultaneously in 100+ cities on the same weekend. The event received fiscal sponsorship by The Hack Foundation, the legal entity for Hack Club, a nonprofit network of high schoolers creating the coding education they wish they could have.

10+ beginners and experienced coders alike were invited to a high-quality experience to learn how to develop games using Godot Game Engine and Kaplay. Squishmallows, tech gear, stickers, custom merch, and complimentary dining were provided as prizes and amenities.

The event culminated in a 100+% ship rate, where each attendee was able to complete at least one functioning, successful game based on a plot of their own.

Visit Daydream Columbus Game Jam's website: https://daydream.hackclub.com/columbus 

In collaboration with STEM2Connect—a Harvard Undergraduate Microbiology Society sponsored organization—and Texas A&M University, Bird2Branch hosted a pivotal webinar featuring Dr. Rabi Mohtar, a globally recognized leader in resource security and sustainable development, with 28 student participants.

The event brought together students and aspiring engineers to explore how innovative, systems-based approaches can address today’s most pressing challenges, particularly water scarcity and food insecurity. During the session, Dr. Mohtar discussed how the field of Biological and Agricultural Engineering is uniquely positioned to develop the technologies and strategies needed.

A Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and recipient of the Kishida International Award and Ven Te Chow Memorial Lecture honor, Dr. Mohtar has spent his career pioneering the Water-Energy-Food Nexus initiatives at both Texas A&M University and the American University of Beirut. His insights and interactive discussion activity provided attendees with an inspiring look into how engineering principles can be applied to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and protect ecosystems worldwide.

Learn more about Dr. Rabi Mohtar's work: https://baen.tamu.edu/people/mohtar-rabi/ 

In partnership with The Be W.I.S.E. Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding equitable access to STEM education for underrepresented students, Bird2Branch hosted an engaging hands-on summer camp for over 60 students in grades K-4.

Held at Stiles Elementary School in Columbus, Ohio, the two-hour session introduced young learners to the world of birds through creativity, engineering, and environmental science. Participants constructed their own bird feeders, learning about the mechanics of structure and sustainability while developing fine motor and design skills.

The camp also featured a curriculum on bird habitats and local species, connecting STEM principles to real ecosystems, and an interactive bird mimicry game that helped students explore communication and adaptation in nature.

The goal of the event was to spark curiosity and awareness about bird conservation, inspiring students to think like young scientists and engineers—and to see how their creativity can make a difference in the world around them.

Learn more about The Be W.I.S.E. Initiative: https://www.thebewiseinitiative.com/