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LeConte Center | May 7 - 9, 2026

PIGEON FORGE, TN

Step into the World of Modern Software Creation—Where Ideas Become Apps!

Do you have a teen who loves technology—or one who’s curious about how apps and websites really work? What if they could spend a day in the life of a developer and discover what really happens behind the screen? In this unique workshop, they’ll have the chance to do exactly that.

Students will explore the modern process of building software and gain hands-on experience in the core practices of DevOps—the same approach today’s top companies use to create and deliver apps—working directly in GitHub, the world’s #1 developer platform with over 180 million users. They’ll learn how to:

  • Plan work like real software teams do
  • Write and share code as part of a collaborative project
  • Use AI as a coding copilot to boost creativity and problem-solving
  • Build, test, and deploy software in a safe, guided environment
  • Document and monitor their work to support ongoing improvement
 

By the end of the workshop, students will understand how ideas turn into working apps, develop valuable teamwork and problem-solving skills, and take their first steps into a field that offers both creativity and career opportunities.

This class is for 9th – 12th grade students and will take place on Thursday May 7th from 10:30am – 12:40pm

About Your Teacher

Christopher Mank is the co-founder of Mank Solutions, a technology consulting company specializing in DevOps—the modern way software is built and delivered. A 6-time Microsoft MVP award winner, conference speaker, and industry consultant with over 20 years of IT and software experience, he helps organizations modernize how they create and deliver applications.

Mank Solutions is a technology consulting company that helps businesses build and deliver software using modern DevOps tools. That same real-world expertise is also made available to students—providing practical training and mentorship that prepares them for future opportunities in technology while grounding their work in faith and purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

This workshop is for 9th-12th graders. 

Students do need to bring their own computer. Windows or Mac is fine.

You will receive an email a couple weeks before the event, with some basic setup instructions.

This workshop is 2 hours and 10 minutes long. 

This workshop is on Thursday May 7th from 10:30am – 12:40pm