This program offers multiple ways to engage young people in documenting the unique cultural art forms created in urban communities around the world every day. Our goal is two-fold; we are teaching students to tell their own stories using inexpensive tools, and also how to create media and how to capitalize on it. We are exposing young people to computer programming, and transmedia techniques used in modern video, VR and music production.
This project is challenging students to create and geolocate video, and primary sources to create short films and projects on music history using short films like the film Electric Roots and the TechnoMecca Short Film Series as models and members of each production team as mentors.
Register for our free self-guided Digital Storytelling course to learn to create a short documentary film, promotional video or a PSA using inexpensive tools like your cell phone.
The lessons in Detroit Techno 101 teach students about the history of Techno and its birthplace Detroit, while developing a variety of skills from filmmaking like collaboration, organization, and storytelling. Documentary films are made by creating an exploration of history via primary source documents. We are teaching students how to create electronic art, digital music, and use smartphones and inexpensive video creation tools can be used to document stories of their own. Raised in underserved cities themselves, the developers of these programs have a passion and in-depth understanding of ways to make learning STEAM skills fun and compelling for urban youth. David Grandison Jr, the creator of these lessons is a producer on the film God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines. His team provides mentoring and educational experiences that challenge urban students not only to pursue higher education, and careers in the tech industry but to become “lifelong learners”. Our goal is to use film and music, the “A” in STEAM education, to provide educators with powerful and compelling project-based tools that empower, digitally savvy, urban youth to tell their own stories. Explore the lessons in Detroit Techno 101 or view the Detroit Techno Timeline to learn more about the history of Detroit Techno.
Teachers can check out the “Lesson Plans” in the filters below and if you are just interested in learning more explore any lesson or share the “Self-Guided Lesson” in the list below with students.
Check back often, new lessons will be added regularly. Learn more ABOUT DETROIT TECHNO 101
