iCode Bridgewater Empowering Future Innovators Through STEM Skills

This Patch article is sponsored by iCode Bridgewater.

Local businesses are the heart of our communities. Patch had a chance to talk with Kalash Keote, Owner, of iCode Bridgewater.

Patch: Tell us a bit about your business or organization:
Kalash Keote: iCode Bridgewater iCode Schools are fully-equipped, high-tech campuses that provide STEAM education for kids. iCode empowers future innovators through our proprietary curriculum utilizing project-based and hands-on learning methods.

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?
Kalash Keote: Since March 2023

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?
Kalash Keote: I would say mine is a very typical journey. Since Both me and my wife, Sangeeta are Software Engineers and have been in the IT industry for the last 25+ years, we wanted our kids to have an early introduction to STEM. We tried all the run-of-the-mill STEM places in the area, and none of them had a curriculum which would give my kids the STEM skills that are really useful. What is really needed is a STEM institution with a focus on Curriculum and an instructor-led offering that actually teaches kids, not just a guy in a dojo with a fancy title assisting kids whenever they call for help. So I started looking for Franchises with a focus on Coding and related soft skills. That's when I just happened to find iCode and they clicked all the check boxes, and the Founder Abid and all the iCode staff were just wonderful. It was almost a no-brainer for us to make the decision to bring iCode to the people in our neighborhood...

Patch: What's the most common piece of advice you give to customers?
Kalash Keote: Don't focus on just one aspect of STEM or one coding language or one skill like just Robotics or Gaming. The STEM landscape is ever-changing and the jobs of the future have not yet been created. Expose your children to a wide variety of skills and don't ignore soft skills like Teamwork, Presentation, Communication & Strategic Thinking. iCode has wrapped this philosophy in all its programs and that's why we are Empowering Future Innovators!

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?
Kalash Keote: The most satisfying part of bringing iCode programs to the neighborhood, is the ability to make a positive change in the lives of hundreds of smart and innocent minds, and help shape their future. We see it everyday when the kids eyes light up when they learn a new STEM skill, and they burst into a bright smile when they finish their program or design, that they worked hard on.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?
Kalash Keote: Curriculum! Curriculum! Instructor-led Curriculum! The iCode curriculum is constantly evolving as technology changes. The iCode Curriculum Team utilizes modern curriculum development models and theory to create up-to-date and relevant courses that maximize STEAM learning potential. Students learn how to translate theoretical concepts into practical, real-world applications. Each year, our Curriculum Content Review Board (CCRB) reviews our courses to ensure their continued relevance.