Techy Bridgewater Parents Launch Business Promoting STEM, Coding Classes

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — When tech-savvy Bridgewater parents Kalash Keote and Sangeeta Gupta couldn't find a suitable STEM or coding program for their kids, they took matters into their own hands.

The husband and wife duo, who have 13-year-old twins in the Bridgewater-Raritan school system, opened a franchise location of iCode Bridgewater on Wednesday at 1327 Prince Rodgers Ave.

Gupta works as an IT Cloud Director and her husband Keote is a Director of Technology for Advanced Education. They have more than 25 years of experience in the technology field.

Keote said they took their twins to different STEM courses in the area and summer camps but weren't completely happy with the options. That's when they found iCode.

"iCode differentiates from other programs because all of our classes are all instructor-led," said Keote. "The franchise also has a great model and focus for curriculum. What is current today may be out of date tomorrow. The franchise has a curriculum development team that is always revamping the curriculum to make sure it is really up to date on the current technology."

iCode offers a series of classes and workshops for kids in grades K through 12 from block coding to designing to robotics. Summer camps are also offered and there are 3D printers available to design and print.

One of the programs offered is the belt program, which is designed similarly to karate where students learn a new skill and earn a belt for each new level of learning.

"What we bring to the table is not just coding but critical thinking, learning to come up with logic and work and collaborate as a team," said Keote. "Team building helps the kids transition into the real environment. It shows them what to anticipate when they grow up and go out into the field."

iCode is running free trials this week and also has a Free Gaming night (Aka Parents Night Out) on Friday, Feb. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.

To learn more about iCode or to book a trial class visit icodeschool.com/bridgewater or facebook.com/iCodeBridgewater or instagram.com/icodebridgewater or call 908-300-3110 or email bridgewater@icodeschool.com.

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