Girls Get Coding
Girls Get Coding
Leslie A . Waldon Atlanta , Georgia Black History 2018
Coding courses for girls are STEAMing across the nation as more girls take an interest in Science , Technology , Engineering , Arts , and Mathematics . The Midwest may have Silicon Valley , but in Florida and Georgia , Black Girls Code and Coding for Girls are just a few global organizations making a local impact on the community .
Black Girls Code founder , Kimberly Bryant , continues to innovate how our kids are learning computer science programming . Bryant believes that teaching girls to code ยท s revolutionary . Bryant states minorities are underrepresented in the technology industry and are being left behind . As an entrepreneur , she hopes to help students " ride the wave of women in STEM fields ". She adds , only 18 % of all women are entering engineering fields and that ercentage is ignificantly lower for women of color . Only 3 % of black women are entering STEM fields .
The question that many ask , " So , what is code ?" According to the Hour of Code , a code is computer proagramming . Simply , coding is the language we use to create web pages . As global citizens , we rely on code each day . We use code to drive our cars , program our phones , set our watches , and press start on our microwaves .
Jennifer Williams , Instructional Technology Coordinator of Newton County Schools in Covington , Georgia says her passion is getting girls excited about STEM education and girls entering the world of computer science . Williams is just one of many computer science educators leading the way in local schools and hosting coding events . As the keynote speaker for the Code Like a Girl event at Liberty Middle School , I had a chance to encourage the audience of mostly minority girls . " You can do anything you set your mind to if you stay positive , seek a mentor , study to become a life-long learner , stay connected , and serve your community ."
Adam Phyall , Director of Technology and Media Services , gave me a tour of the coding practices taking place at Liberty Middle . I noticed , black girls experimenting with coding programs like RaspberryPi single-board computers and creating web pages with Microsoft and Google programs . Phyall agrees that we need to put more money into girls coding programs .
Black Girls Code Miami Chapter hosted a Robotics Expo ( 2016 ) and a Women of Color in STEM Career Panel ( 2016 ). In Atlanta , BCG Atlanta Chapter hosted Build a Webpage in a Day ( 2017 ). Code Like A Girl ( 2017 ) hosted its second annual event , combing several local Georgia school systems . One future engineer also walked away with a brand-new laptop .
If you want to learn more about girls get coding programs in your area , reach out to your local school system ' s Instructional Technology Coordinator , contact Black Girl Code organization directly at blackgirlscode . com , or contact me on Twitter CreatingSuccess @ leslieawaldon .