Girls Discover Computer Programming at Girls Inc. Code Club
“I can show you how to do that!”
Excitement bubbled over at a recent Code Club program at Think College Now/International Community School as one 5th grader realized she could help her classmate with a programming question. All the girls and program staff gathered around and she taught everyone what she had just learned.
Girls Inc. of Alameda County launched Code Club in partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, and this fall over 60 girls are learning the basics of computer coding in HTML, Python, and Scratch. Nationally, girls’ interest in STEM wanes in the early teen years which leads to chronic underrepresentation of women – and especially women of color – in science and technology careers.
Girls Inc. is committed to opening the door to STEM for our girls, and Code Club goes right to the heart of building building skills, enthusiasm, and confidence in STEM subjects. The girls choose their own projects and learn computer science fundamentals, all while having fun in an interactive learning environment. At the end of the semester, they’ll present their creations to their families and staff at our Winter Showcase.
Because Code Club is a new program, Girls Inc. staff receive comprehensive training both on computer coding and how to teach the curriculum to students. At a recent staff training session, Christina Foust of Raspberry Pi said, “Coding is dominated by white men. It is so powerful for girls to see their program leaders code and work with computers. When the girls watch and learn from the staff, they see themselves, and they see success.”
Thank you Raspberry Pi for partnering with Girls Inc. of Alameda County to bring technology literacy to our girls.