Orientation Program
Introduction
The TinkerHub Campus Orientation Program is designed to welcome and integrate new members into our vibrant tech community. Recognizing the unique timing of student arrivals, especially first-years, we've developed a two-phase approach that ensures all students have the opportunity to engage with TinkerHub from the start of their college journey.
Phase 1: Kickstarter - Chai and Puffs
The Kickstarter, affectionately named "Chai and Puffs," is our initial outreach event. This informal gathering takes place soon after the selection of campus leads and formation of the core team, typically before first-year students join. It's a relaxed, inviting session where existing students can learn about TinkerHub in a casual atmosphere. During this event, campus leads introduce TinkerHub's vision and mission, share highlights of past activities, and invite active members to tell their TinkerHub stories. The informal setting encourages questions and discussions, allowing potential members to get a feel for the community. Light refreshments (chai and snacks) add to the welcoming atmosphere, making it easy for students to connect and engage.
Phase 2: Official Orientation
The Official Orientation is a more comprehensive event held after first-year students join the college. This larger-scale program is designed to give all students, new and returning, a thorough introduction to TinkerHub and its opportunities.
This event features a detailed presentation about TinkerHub, including its mission, structure, and ongoing projects. Interactive elements such as tech demos, mini-hackathons, or team-building exercises give students a hands-on taste of TinkerHub activities. A networking session allows new members to connect with the core team and senior members, fostering a sense of community from day one.
The Official Orientation utilizes resources provided by the TinkerHub Foundation, including an orientation deck and activity playbook, ensuring consistency across campus communities while allowing for customization to each campus's unique culture.
Orientation Day Structure
The official TinkerHub orientation day is designed to immerse students in the TinkerHub experience. Here's how the day should unfold:
Welcome and Introduction: Start the day with a warm welcome from the campus lead and core team. Introduce TinkerHub's mission, vision, and the impact it has had on campuses across Kerala. This sets the tone for the day and gives students a clear understanding of what TinkerHub represents.
TinkerHub Showcase: Present a vibrant showcase of past TinkerHub projects, events, and achievements. This could include video montages, live demonstrations, or an exhibition of student-created projects. The goal is to inspire new members by showing them what's possible through TinkerHub.
Maker Story Session: Invite TinkerHub community alumni or a relatable maker to share their experiences and maker journey. This provides valuable perspectives on how TinkerHub can impact students' personal and professional growth.
Community Building Activities: Incorporate team-building exercises and icebreakers throughout the day. These activities help students connect with each other and start building the collaborative relationships that are central to the TinkerHub community.
TinkerHub Programs and Opportunities Presentation: Provide a comprehensive overview of TinkerHub's various programs, learning tracks, and opportunities available to members. This could include information on upcoming events, bootcamps, and how to get involved in ongoing projects.
Q&A and Open Discussion: Allow ample time for questions and open discussion. This is an opportunity for students to clarify doubts, share ideas, and express their interests.
Networking Session: Conclude with a networking session where new members can interact with the core team, senior members, and each other in a more informal setting. This helps in fostering connections and making new members feel welcome in the community.
Sign-Up and Next Steps: End the day by guiding interested students through the sign-up process through Hub of TinkerHub app. Provide clear information on the next steps, upcoming meetings, and how they can start participating in TinkerHub activities.
Follow-up and Engagement
The orientation process doesn't end with the events themselves. Follow-up is crucial for maintaining the momentum generated during orientation. This includes collecting feedback from attendees, planning immediate post-orientation activities, and ensuring new members have clear pathways to get involved in TinkerHub projects and events.
Measuring Impact
To continually improve the orientation process, it's important to measure its success. This can be done through tracking attendance numbers, sign-up rates, feedback surveys, and engagement in follow-up activities. These metrics provide valuable insights for refining future orientation programs and ensuring they effectively welcome new members into the TinkerHub community.
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