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The Civic Tech Scholars program focuses on improving the workforce by training young people for careers in STEM. The goal of this program is to train, motivate, and prepare emerging leaders to understand how social impact initiatives and research can be used to improve the quality of life through technology, civic engagement, and innovation. The program ran from June 3 to August 9, 2024.
This program is a space where we experiment and design the future together. It comes from a rich history of experiences and programs that helped create a civic technology company and equipped us with the tools to tackle society's complex problems. We aim to bring together science, art, technology, design, and society to develop solutions that shape the cities of the future.
When we started the Better Futures Institute, our goal was to create a space where we could apply everything we had learned about research, design, product development, entrepreneurship, leadership, and storytelling. We wanted to connect different disciplines, methods, tools, people, and technology to work together to solve our cities' problems. Our focus is on engaging communities to explore and address critical local and regional issues like urban sustainability and workforce development. Through various programs and experiences, we have built a community of inspiring and talented people who are making a positive impact on the world, one company, organization, institution, and community at a time.
The Civic Tech Scholars program is a result of this journey. As we embark on this journey, our goal is to continue this learning experience collectively by inviting people to participate and share their ideas for a better future. The future is a collaborative process, and this program is an open, multidisciplinary platform that welcomes everyone’s ideas to improve the quality of life in our communities.
We are interested in creating a living collaborative laboratory for ideas. Our focus is to work openly with the community, engaging in conversations and publicly contributing to the future of San Antonio and the region. This living document is intended to remain open for improvement by incorporating community feedback.
Our focus is education and innovation. Our research is collaborative. Our approach is multidisciplinary and multi-city. Our vision is a conduit for everyone’s vision for Better Futures.
The figure below illustrates how the Better Futures Institute model work. We are a think thank and urban laboratory that engages in community-based research, works with data science and product development in real life projects that have tangible social impact in our communities. By building STEAM education programs and initiatives around these projects we are able to provide opportunities to college students to gain experience, build capacity, and establish a professional network that can contribute to their professional success and personal development with the long term goal of retaining talent and creating generational wealth for more people in San Antonio.
Program Goals:
Core Themes of the Program:
Through these themes, the Civic Tech Scholars program aims to provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to make a real difference in our communities. By connecting different fields and using technology, we aspire to co-create a better future for everyone.
The Civic Tech Scholars had the unique opportunity to work on improving the 311SA App, expand our South Texas Triangle research, and help craft the narratives for our Better Futures Series. Our current projects enable them to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, honing abilities to tackle complex challenges and implement solutions in the real world. The program's emphasis on social impact and urban challenges ensures the development of a keen sense of responsibility toward building sustainable, equitable, and resilient communities.
By engaging in community research, interns develop a deep understanding of the unique challenges and needs of different populations, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the creation of sustainable and equitable solutions.
During the program, we produced several outputs and obtained multiple takeaways. Below is a the preliminary list:
A Series of Skills and Competencies:
A Series of Social, Economic, and Technological Considerations:
A Final Presentation of the Solution Designed at the End of the CTS Program:
A New Civic Technology and Policy Design Thinking Framework:
A Series of Reports About the Findings of the Lab Sessions:
The program goals are directly connected to working on experiential learning opportunities provided by the BFI social impact civic technology projects. Each area of the program is introduced with providing participants with the skills, knowledge, tools, and network to achieve the desired outcomes. See the figure below.
Civic Tech Scholars – Data Science Urban Infrastructure Management
Summary
The Better Futures Institute worked with the City of San Antonio’s 311 and Public Works departments in a Data Science project to enhance street repair workflows and operational efficiency in public works maintenance. Throughout the program, the scholars analyzeed historical data, developed predictive models, and provided insights to better align service requests with street maintenance schedules.
The project goals and objectives included the following:
The final report includes over 40 graphs analyzing and comparing potholes, street condition information, and street improvement project data. By integrating multiple data sets, our chief goal was to inform the City of San Antonio of key findings presented as a series of opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of pothole repairs and overall street maintenance.
See below some screenshots of of the platform created by the scholars:
The Better Futures Institute, in partnership with the City of San Antonio, will host a series of conversations during the Civic Tech Scholars internship program, focusing on the future of cities. These discussions will explore the vital roles of public officials, urban resilience, community engagement, and the transformative impact of technology and innovation in shaping the cities of tomorrow.
The series focuses on four key areas:
This session introduced scholars to Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) as a metroplex and border region within the context of the South Texas Triangle. Scholars gained an understanding of the region's relationship to San Antonio, the bordering Mexican state of Tamaulipas, and the significance of the emergent space industry for our future.
This session focused on the role of international trade and inland ports in shaping the South Texas Triangle and explored solutions for issues related to a rapidly increasing population and unsustainable levels of trade at Port Laredo.
Public Policy and Civic Lab Sessions Schedule
Session 1. Urban Planning & Public Infrastructure
Date: 6/06/2024
Session 2. RGV & South Texas Triangle
Date: 6/26/2024
Session 3. Laredo & South Texas Triangle
Date: 6/27/2024
Session 4. Governance, Policy Making and Public Engagement
Date: 7/11/2024
Session 5. Economic Development:
Date: 7/18/2024
Session 6. Quality of Life
Date: 7/25/2024
The Civic Tech Scholars program aimed to produce a series of final reports detailing the findings, ideas, and solutions explored during the Better Futures Conversation sessions. These reports are intended to guide the initiatives, programs, and research, of future scholars. One of the key objectives of the Better Futures Institute is to conduct an in-depth analysis of San Antonio and the South Texas Triangle, laying the groundwork for ongoing exploration of the city and region. Ultimately, the program aims to develop policy memos and other outputs to make informed recommendations for stakeholders and the wider community.
To complement our research, we held a series of conversations with local community leaders and founders who shine a light on how our city can move forward across different industries and disciplines.
See below some of the publications created by the Civic Tech Scholars during the program.
Industry Research
Community Conversations
Public Policy and Civic Lab
On Friday, August 9, 2024, the Civic Tech Scholars showcased their work at a public event. The presentations included an overview of the Better Futures Institute's current impact and the outcomes produced during the Civic Tech Scholars Program.
Here are a few pictures of the event:
Our goal with this program is to lay the groundwork for a collaborative research initiative that harnesses community ideas about what a better future looks like. Our methodology includes conversations, discussions, and workshops where we invite industry experts, academics, community leaders, and the broader public to participate in creating the future of our region.
Interested in shaping the future with us? Reach out to us to collaborate, sign up to our newsletter to learn about future events and engagement opportunities, or send us a note with ideas or suggestions to info@bfinstitute.org
Dr. Alberto Gomez is a San Antonio-based entrepreneur. He is the Co-founder, President and CEO of Better Futures Institute, and Co-founder of Irys Technologies, a data analytics and cybersecurity firm. He holds a Ph.D. in Communication and Creative Industries.
