Google has just launched Made with Code, an initiative aiming to inspire millions of girls to learn to code, and to help them see coding as a means to pursue their dream careers.
These efforts are based on Google’s new nationwide research, which shows that Computer Science exposure is crucial in pre-college years, parental encouragement is key and that girls who have positive perceptions of CS as a career, and understand its potential for social impact, are much more likely to pursue it.
The Made with Code website includes
- Blockly-based coding projects like designing a bracelet to be 3D printed, learning to create animated GIFs or building beats for a music track. Scratch projects too.
- Video profiles of girls and women who explain how they’re using code to do what they love — in fashion, music, dance, animation, cancer research and more.
- A resource directory for parents and girls to find more information about new local events, camps, classes and clubs.
- Collaborations with organizations like Girl Scouts of the USA and Girls, Inc. to introduce Made with Code to girls in their networks, encouraging them to complete their first coding experience.
- There’s also resources for parents to host a Made with Code party for their kids.
Supporting the project, along with Google, are organisations such as Girls Inc., Girl Scouts of the USA, MIT Media Lab, National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and TechCrunch.
While there is a US focus to many of the resources and the events, computing teachers in the UK and elsewhere will also find the coding resources and ideas useful to help inspire the girls in their classes to investigate coding.
Find out more at www.madewithcode.com
