Hawks Center Clint Capela Surprised Students As They Learned How to Code Dunks As Part of Today’s Tipoff Event; Fans Can Participate in the Innovative Coding Dunk Competition at Hawks.com/code
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks and Microsoft today announced the launch of the Coded Dunk Challenge, an innovative coding competition for youth to expand their knowledge of technology, ignite an interest in computer science and introduce them to STEM-focused career paths.
The organizations teamed up with Fair Chance Learning, a company that curates best-in-class educational programs to elevate students’ learning, to provide students ages 11 through 18 an opportunity to create unique on-screen basketball dunks through the use of code. Youth from the state of Georgia are encouraged to participate in the competition. Entries will be accepted through Friday, March 3.
As part of the competition, students will produce and submit codes to display their best and most creative Harry the Hawk basketball dunk for a chance to compete in the Coded Dunk Challenge. At the conclusion of the Challenge, three finalists will be selected to attend the Hawks’ home game on Friday, March 17 and have their coded dunks displayed on the centerhung at State Farm Arena. During the game, the winner will be announced and see their dunk executed live on the court.
“We are excited to be partnering with the Hawks on the Coded Dunk Challenge,” said Director of Sports Partnerships at Microsoft, Monica Robbins. “This Challenge leverages the natural synergies between sports and STEM to deliver fun and approachable activities that hopefully help to get students excited about the possibilities of STEM.”
Earlier today at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center and Aquatic Center, the Hawks and Microsoft tipped off the challenge in collaboration with Fair Chance Learning to provide more than 40 middle school students an opportunity to code and create Harry the Hawk basketball dunks.
A special surprise to the afternoon’s festivities was the appearance of Hawks Center Clint Capela who was joined by members of Hawks Entertainment including Harry the Hawk, the ATL Hawks Dancers, and the Flight Crew.
“We are thrilled to partner with Microsoft and engage our local youth in this interactive and educational event which will help drive engagement and interest in technology,” said Hawks’ Vice President of Community Impact and Basketball Programs Jon Babul. “Through future programming and events like the Coded Dunk Challenge, we are committed to ensuring all of Atlanta access to opportunities that help them gain new skills and grow as learners to serve them for years to come.”
With help from Hawks and Microsoft volunteers, the students were divided into two groups and ushered to various activation stations where they learned from Fair Chance Learning professionals how to use coding software to create their unique dunk. The stations included a plugged area where students participated in a basketball coding activity and an unplugged area where students took part in basketball activities and played games.
In addition, the students participated in a special photo opportunity with Clint Capela and Harry the Hawk, watched Harry perform dunks in real time, were given refreshments and received gift bags that included a Hawks branded T-shirt and co-branded Microsoft and Hawks headband.
In April 2022, the Hawks announced a multi-year partnership with Microsoft Corp, including Xbox, that aims to provide opportunities and resources in underserved areas of Atlanta through sport, technology and community programming.
The Hawks and Microsoft will build upon the STEM and basketball-themed programming from year one of the partnership and in year two with additional educational programming and events.
To enter the Atlanta Hawks and Microsoft Coded Dunk Challenge, applicants must be a legal resident of Georgia, be between the ages of 11 and 18 and must obtain permission from a parent or legal guardian prior to entering the contest. Additional information about how to enter and create a dunk code can be found at Hawks.com/code.
To learn more about the Hawks’ work in the community, visit Hawks.com/community. To learn more about Microsoft in Atlanta, visit news.microsoft.com/Microsoft-Atlanta.