Information Technology Academy Spring Conference 2024

By Kamewanukiw Rabideaux, Ninoska Picon, Mary Kay Kasten, SoHappy Davids and Julie Hagstrom

ITA students posing by floral letter W
All ITA tribal sites students on tour of campus

The Information Technology Academy (ITA) held their annual Spring Conference on April 19–21, 2024 at UW–Madison campus. This was the first spring conference ITA has been able to host for their student cohorts since pre-pandemic. Students from the Oneida, Lac du Flambeau, and Madison cohorts came together for a fun-filled learning experience for all. On Friday, students from the Oneida and Lac du Flambeau cohorts participated in field trip activities and presentations.

The Tribal sites sophomores were able to participate in an engaging walking tour to several cultural sites located across the campus. A representative from the HoChunk Nation shared information, history and culture about the various mounds across campus. A special site included the tree of peace that was planted on campus near one of the mounds and the trip culminated with a visit to the fire pit circle honoring the 12 nations of Wisconsin.

ITA sophomores at the fire circle of tribal nations
ITA sophomores at the fire circle of tribal nations during the Cultural Landscape tour at UW–Madison
ITA sophomores beginning cultural landscapes tour
ITA sophomores beginning cultural landscapes tour with tour guides

The Juniors attended a field trip to Raven Software. Raven was founded in 1990 by brothers Brian and Steve Raffel, and has gone from a five-person company to the developer of numerous award-winning games and best-selling titles, including Hexen, Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and most recently being a major contributor to the Call of Duty® franchise. Students learned about the history of the company and toured the facility to learn about the productions and operations of the software company

The Seniors attended a session on Augmented Reality at Union South. They learned about the future of Augmented Reality and were able to test out different types of headsets.  Could you imagine wearing something on your glasses and discovering how long the line is at your favorite restaurant before arriving? How about wearing a device on your hard hat and tracing electrical lines without digging anything up? The students learned how this could be a part of the future thanks to augmented reality. They walked away fully expecting this technology to be ‘normal’ in their lifetime. In addition, they got to use the headsets to set puzzles, draw pictures in 3D, explore a sunken ship at the bottom of Lake Superior and play a game to capture aliens. It was an amazing experience for everyone.

ITA Senior, Elliot
ITA Senior, Elliot participating in Augmented Reality Workshop, April 24, 2024

The day culminated with the entire group of Tribal Sites ITA students and chaperones visiting EPIC.  What is EPIC?  The website sums it up best, “Founded in a basement in 1979 with three half-time employees, Epic develops software to help people get well, help people stay well, and help future generations be healthier.”  Each group of students and tour guide were able to check out the many buildings and unique places that make EPIC a fun and inviting place to work.  One of our tour guides is an ITA alum, Alonso Del Rio visited with the entire group and shared his role at EPIC.

On Saturday, students from the tribal sites attended classes with the Madison cohort where they were able to learn together in mixed classes getting to know each other. The morning involved technology focused classes with all three sites learning together and the afternoon provided choice sessions with a variety of topics to choose from like coding to video production, among others.

The seniors also had the opportunity to visit with the PEOPLE program and hear from various organizations on campus including PEOPLE, NACHP and the Aunties of UW.

ITA seniors visit the PEOPLE Program
ITA seniors visit the PEOPLE Program

On Sunday, the students had free time to walk state street, go shopping and visit the Capitol. Students from the Tribal cohorts had an amazing time and are grateful for the wonderful hosting the Madison site provided for their visit to Madison. They are looking forward to their return visit to Madison for this wonderful experience in spring 2025!

ITA students, staff, alumni, and Epic staff at Epic Company Tour
ITA students, staff, alumni and Epic staff at Epic Company Tour, April 19, 2024
ITA seniors at ITA Senior Sendoff
ITA seniors at ITA Senior Sendoff, April 21, 2024