There’s something wonderfully unexpected about students in Oracabessa, Jamaica, learning to build snowmen. The air is warm, the ocean is nearby, and snow is nowhere in sight. But thanks to a new 3D modeling initiative from TeachForth and the Goldeneye Foundation, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Using Blender, the same professional software used by game designers and animators across the world, students are beginning their journey into digital design. And just like at SummerTech, the New York-based camp that inspired TeachForth, the first project is a snowman.
At SummerTech, the snowman project has become a rite of passage. It teaches the fundamentals of 3D modeling: how to scale, rotate, combine, and manipulate basic shapes, while giving students room to be creative. It’s structured enough to guide beginners but flexible enough to reflect personality.
When we brought this project to Jamaica, the students took it in their own direction. Their snowmen weren’t bound by tradition. Some wore sunglasses, some had surfboards, and more than a few looked ready for the beach. They adapted the idea to their world without hesitation, and that creativity is what the program is all about.
More importantly, they didn’t just learn. They taught.
Within the first few sessions, students who picked up Blender quickly began helping their peers. They explained tools, walked through steps, and encouraged each other. It wasn’t prompted. It was natural. That is the TeachForth model in action – empowering students to take ownership and become leaders by sharing what they know.
“Watching these students not only learn 3D modeling, but immediately turn around and teach it to others, is exactly why TeachForth exists,” said Steven Fink, founder of TeachForth and SummerTech. “It’s never been just about learning tech. It’s about creating a culture of leadership, generosity, and community.”
This summer, seven students from Oracabessa will travel to New York to attend SummerTech as Counselors-in-Training. They will experience firsthand how we teach, lead, and build community. When they return, they’ll be equipped not just with skills but with a roadmap to create their own peer-led learning environments.
Travis Graham, Executive Director of the Goldeneye Foundation, shared, “Youth from rural communities like Oracabessa, Jamaica, often miss out on opportunities that are readily available in urban areas. Thanks to our partnership with SummerTech, we’ve been able to change that narrative. Through this collaboration, our young beneficiaries have been introduced to coding and exciting new areas of technology like 3D modeling. They genuinely look forward to their afterschool coding sessions, especially because they’re taught by their peers at SummerTech, which makes the experience even more meaningful. They’re also incredibly excited about the chance to attend SummerTech’s summer camp in New York. This partnership is opening doors and inspiring a new generation of tech leaders in Oracabessa, and we are truly grateful for it.”
TeachForth is a nonprofit built from the SummerTech community. Its mission is to train high school students to teach coding and technology to underserved youth. It gives students a way to grow as learners and leaders while giving back in meaningful ways. Our programs run globally, from the Hudson Valley to Jamaica, and this latest 3D modeling launch is an exciting step forward.
The Goldeneye Foundation has been an essential partner in this journey. Their investment in education and youth development in Oracabessa has helped create a space where programs like this can take root and thrive.
The snowman project is just the beginning. These students will go on to build characters, animate scenes, and tell original stories. And when they do, they’ll teach the next group how to do the same.
In a place where snow never falls, these snowmen are more than just a fun first project. They are a symbol of what’s possible when young people are given the tools and trust to create something of their own.
