Girls Who Code: Empowering Underserved High School Girls Through Programming
In today’s digital age, coding is a skill that is increasingly becoming more valuable and in demand. As technology continues to shape our world, it is essential that we empower our youth, especially those who are often left out of the tech industry, to become the next generation of coders and creators.
Girls Who Code is an organization that aims to do just that, by providing summer programs and year-round clubs to underserved high school girls. Founded by Reshma Saujani and Kristen Titus in 2012, the organization has a goal of training 1 million girls in coding by the year 2020.
Summer Program for Underserved High School Girls
Girls Who Code offers a rigorous seven-week summer program that introduces underserved high school girls to the world of computer science. The program is designed to teach young women not only how to code but also how to think critically and solve problems using technology.
The curriculum covers a range of topics, including programming languages such as Python and Javascript, mobile app development, and website design. The Girls Who Code program is specifically tailored to serve racial minorities and other groups who are underrepresented in the tech industry.
Over 50% of the girls who participate in the program come from underrepresented groups, including those who identify as Black, Latina, or from low-income households. The program is also inclusive of girls who wear headscarves, providing an environment where Muslim girls can feel both safe and empowered.
Lean Organization on a Mission
Girls Who Code is unique in that it is a lean, mission-driven organization with a goal of achieving gender parity in computer science by 2027. In today’s society, where the tech industry is still largely male-dominated, this goal is significant.
Girls Who Code aims to provide girls with the skills and resources necessary to succeed in tech-related fields. By training 1 million girls by 2020, they hope to create a more diverse and representative tech industry.
Support for Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code has garnered widespread support from corporate donors and industry leaders who recognize the importance of their mission. Major technology companies such as Google, eBay, and GE have donated both money and time to support the program.
Rebecca Garcia, a former Girls Who Code participant, is now a program alumna and has become an advocate for the organization. She founded Coder Dojo NYC, a nonprofit that works to get kids excited about coding and technology, and has volunteered her time as a teaching assistant for Girls Who Code.
In addition to the summer program, Girls Who Code has also begun expanding their reach through Girls Who Code clubs. These clubs provide year-round support for girls who are interested in technology and coding.
The clubs are self-sufficient and have their own curriculum, allowing for flexibility in scheduling and location. The clubs are after-school programs that provide girls with a community of peers who share their interests, as well as access to role models and mentors from the tech industry.
Conclusion
Girls Who Code is an organization that is doing important work to empower young women to become the next generation of tech leaders. Through their summer program and year-round clubs, they are breaking barriers and creating a more equitable tech industry.
By providing resources and opportunities to underserved girls from diverse backgrounds, Girls Who Code is showing us what a more inclusive and innovative future can look like. Girls Who Code: Achievements and Call for Support
Girls Who Code has made significant strides in its mission to provide opportunities for underserved high school girls to learn coding and gain exposure to the technology industry.
The organization’s success is evident in the achievements of its inaugural program graduates and its plans for expanding the program into new cities. However, to continue making an impact, Girls Who Code relies heavily on support from foundations, personal donations, and donations of equipment and intellectual capital from tech leaders.
Final Projects Presented by Inaugural Program Graduates
The final projects presented by Girls Who Code program graduates showcase the breadth of skills and knowledge acquired by the students during the seven-week summer program. One group of girls created a mobile app for disabled New Yorkers that provides information on accessible buildings and transit options.
Another group developed a location-based app that connects homeless individuals with nearby outreach centers and shelters. One standout project involved the use of an algorithm to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors.
The project involved the use of machine learning and computer vision to analyze medical images and provide accurate diagnoses. According to Girls Who Code, the project could have significant implications for the healthcare industry.
Goals for 2013: Expanding the Program into New Cities
In 2013, Girls Who Code set its sights on expanding the program into new cities and tapping into existing tech ecosystems. Working with partner organizations, the Girls Who Code team identified Detroit and Miami as cities with high potential for growth.
By expanding into these cities, Girls Who Code hoped to reach more underserved high school girls and provide them with access to coding education and real-world job experience. In Detroit, Girls Who Code partnered with TechTown Detroit, a nonprofit business incubator, to launch its program.
In Miami, Girls Who Code partnered with the Idea Center at Miami Dade College. Both partnerships served as a way for Girls Who Code to expand its reach into new communities and bring coding education to more young women.
How to Support Girls Who Code
If you believe in the mission of Girls Who Code and want to support the organization’s efforts, there are several ways to get involved. One of the most effective ways to support Girls Who Code is through charitable donations.
The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which means donations are tax-deductible. Charitable deductions provide an incentive for individuals and organizations to donate, allowing Girls Who Code to continue providing valuable programming to high school girls.
In addition to financial support, Girls Who Code also relies on donations of equipment and space from tech leaders. Companies such as AppNexus have donated hardware-intensive equipment to Girls Who Code.
The donated equipment ensures that the girls have the resources they need to learn coding and build their final projects. Finally, Girls Who Code also relies on the donation of intellectual capital in the form of teaching and computer science skills.
Volunteers who have expertise in computer science can contribute to the organization by serving as guest teachers or mentors. Intellectual capital donations are essential for the success of Girls Who Code.
Conclusion
Girls Who Code has achieved significant success in providing coding education and exposure to underserved high school girls. The organization has plans for continuing to expand its program into new cities and work with existing tech ecosystems.
However, Girls Who Code cannot do it alone and relies on support from foundations, personal donations, equipment and space donations, and intellectual capital donations. By supporting Girls Who Code, you are helping to create a more inclusive and innovative tech industry.
Girls Who Code is an organization that aims to empower underserved high school girls by providing them with access to coding education and exposure to the tech industry. The organization has achieved significant success through its summer program and year-round clubs.
Girls Who Code has expanded into new cities and tapped into existing tech ecosystems, but will need continued support from foundations, personal donations, equipment and space donations, and intellectual capital donations. By supporting Girls Who Code, we are creating a more diverse and representative tech industry that reflects the talent and potential of all individuals.