Soddy Daisy High School

BlueCross Technology Academy (FRI)

BlueCross Tech Academy

In September of 2019, SDHS was chosen by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee for their 2nd BlueCross Technology Academy in HCS's Future Ready Institute Programs. BCBST has given our community of Soddy Daisy a tremendous gift that will make a huge impact on our students, our school, and our community! Future Trojans have some great things to look forward to in the area of technology, coding, web design, cybersecurity, and networking. We "officially" launched our program in August of 2020 with over 70 students interested in learning about technology, in the areas of Computer Science (coding) and Web Development/Design.

ALL students have room in their schedules to be BCTA@SDHS and other award-winning programs like Sports, JROTC, and Band. A lot of the students are active in multiple areas of student life at SDHS. Come Join us!

The big news was announced on March 8, 2021. BlueSky Institute information was released for the Class of 2022. Read more

Today, we are enjoying our new BCTA@SDHS Suite which includes:

  • A Design Lab with 24 Mac Computers.
  • A Coding Lab with 24 dual monitors and docking stations for the students.
  • 2 Collaboration Rooms for groups of 4 students, including a 35" smart TV, PC computer, workspace, and whiteboards.
  • Conference Room for 15 people, equipped with 75" TV, with a webcam for presentations and collaboration.
  • SDHS's Web Team's Collaboration Room equipped with a Mac computer with Wacom Cintiq Monitor, PC Computer with dual Monitor, smart tv, workspaces, and a whiteboard.  These students run the school website and have their own space!
  • Large Group Presentation Space for 50 people, for guest speakers and large group presentations, including a TV wall built with 4 - 75" smart TVs.
  • And don't forget, the coffee bar for our guest presenters and community partners to enjoy.

Technology include:

  • Cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE) used for coding, supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS).
  • Student-created and maintained Cloud-based servers used to run websites and apps using AWS.
  • Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, and more!)
  • Some of the coding languages covered in both programs of study: HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript, Java, and Python. 
  • Game Engine: Unity
  • Monitoring Google Analytics on SDHS Social Media accounts and YouTube Channel.
  • Industry Certifications:
    • CompTIA - ITF. (IT Fundamentals)
    • Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification
    • AP Computer Science Principles
    • Duel Enrollment Coding I and II, Web Development
  • Access to large format printing using HP DesignJet.
  • Various coding resources for students to use, like Arduinos and Sphero RVR.
  • Access to equipment to explore VR (virtual reality)
  • Computer Hardware includes Mac OS and PC OS.

Additional Activities for Students to participate in:

  • Girls in Tech Club
  • eSports Team
  • Future Ready Institute Ambassadors representing BCTA@SDHS by grade level (including Leadership Training)
  • Challenge Projects

Guest Speakers include:

  • Joshua Davis - Presented information for Corporate Values and Mission Statement PBL (Fall 2020)
  • BCTA Launch Event - Funky Coder - How does Coding and Hip Hop Dancing Relate?  (Fall 2020)
  • Dan Foster and Chris Hurst - StratusGrid Cyber Security Month Presenters (Fall 2020)
  • Denise Thomas - BCBSTN Intranet (front-side) presentation on how a corporation uses internal news/social media to promote company culture. (Fall 2020)
  • James Barksdale - BCBSTN Cyber Security presentation. Find out more about James.
  • Tim Skinner - BCBSTN Intranet (back-end) presentation on how a corporation's intranet functions. (Winter 2019)
  • Jennifer Weaver - BCBSTN presentation to Girls in Tech Club discussing career path in IT Fields/College options. (Fall 2020)
  • Chelsea Johnson - BCBSTN judge for Robot Pumpkin Challenge using coding, Makey Makey, and a pumpkin (grade level contest - Fall 2020)
  • Allison Salmon - Figment Games - Introduction to Game Development for 9th-grade students (January 2021)
  • Future Presenters planned for 2021:
    • BCBSTN HR Department working with 11th-grade students on soft skills for employment/certifications.
    • BCBSTN CyberSecurity
    • BCBSTN Network


What type of impact does project based learning have on the students? 


An event was planned for non-coding 9th grade students by the upper class men who had some coding experience. They want to create an event to promote coding at SDHS and used Code.org's Hour of Code as a basis for their event. 

The non-coding student responds to their own coding skills before and after the event.  Confidence in coding increased.

Hour of Code Self Reflection on Coding Skills

Larger View of Responses
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