Free Summer 2026 • Maricopa County • Ages 13–18

Game On!

AI Pathways & Cultural Immersion
A STEAM-Sports Experience

Where football and basketball become the living laboratory for hands-on Artificial Intelligence Literacy, financial literacy, and college & career readiness.

Apply Now Applications close Friday, June 12, 2026
30 underserved youth, ages 13–18
Two phases: AI Pathways + Cultural Immersion
100% free — funded by Strong TIES
What it is

The game is the classroom

Game On! turns the sports young people already love into a living laboratory. Through football and basketball, 30 students ages 13–18 across Maricopa County build real, future-ready skills — no tech background needed, just curiosity and game.

Hands-on AI

Learn how AI works using real plays, stats, and game footage.

Financial Literacy

Money skills modeled on contracts, salaries, and smart decisions.

College & Career Readiness

Map real pathways from the field to college and the workforce.

How it works

Two phases, one playbook

All 30 students take part in the AI Pathways phase; 15 earn the Cultural Immersion trip.

Phase 1 • AI Pathways

STEAM-Sports Learning Lab

Use real football and basketball scenarios to learn how AI works, plus financial literacy and college & career readiness. Held at Scottsdale Center, The University of Arizona.

July 13–16 & July 20–23, 2026
Phase 2 • Cultural Immersion

Philadelphia Experience

Fifteen students earn a fully funded cultural-immersion trip to Philadelphia, tied to the nation’s 250th celebrations — a reward earned through the program.

June 27 – July 6, 2026
Bonus for families

A community celebration on July 24

The program closes with a community event where learning is recognized and families are part of the journey.

Parent AI Training

A free 2-hour AI Literacy Awareness Training for parents of children who complete the two weeks summer camp, led by DS Innovation — which delivers training to small-business vendors under a U.S. Air Force contract.

Student Certificates

Every student earns a Certificate of Completion recognizing their growth across the program.

Community Showcase

Students present a recap of their Program Learning Experience to community leaders — Friday, July 24, 2026.

Key dates

Your summer at a glance

1

Apply

By Fri, June 12

Submit your application for one of 30 spots.

Required
2

Orientation

Sat, June 13

10:30 AM – 2:30 PM. Required for all accepted students.

3

Cultural Immersion

June 27 – July 6

Philadelphia — 15 students earn the trip.

4

AI Pathways Camp

July 13–16 & 20–23

Scottsdale Center, The University of Arizona.

5

Showcase & Certificates

Fri, July 24

Recap, parent training & celebration.

100% Free

Funded by Strong TIES and its' sponsors, and open to youth ages 13–18 across Maricopa County. All 30 students take part in the AI Pathways phase; 15 earn the Cultural Immersion trip. No tech experience required — just bring your game.

Join us

Ready to get in the game?

Applications close Friday, June 12, 2026
Required for all accepted students
Orientation — Saturday, June 13, 2026
10:30 AM – 2:30 PM  •  [orientation location]
Apply or ask questions:
community.info@strongtiesaz.org
Start Your Application
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community.info@strongtiesaz.org
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