Last weekend I had the pleasure of volunteering at the inaugural training weekend of CodeNow. CodeNow aims to get teens -- esp. those underrepresented in tech fields -- excited about coding. Taught by JumpStart Lab founder Jeff Casimir, the class spent day 1 making video games using Scratch and day 2 making robots with Lego Mindstorms. It rocked. 

Here's a round-up in the words of founder Ryan Seashore:

 

Hi All-

 

Last weekend we launched CodeNow’s pilot program for under-represented youth. Thirteen students, comprised of 9 boys and 4 girls, attended our training at the New Organizing Institute.   It was a truly fantastic experience!  

The program started off by the students being asked to write instructions on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This seemingly simple exercise changed their perception on how to look at basic tasks and set the tone for the entire weekend. By the early afternoon of the first day students had built videogames and animations on their own, using Scratch an open source program developed by MIT.

On day two using Lego Mindstorms, a line of programmable robotics/ construction toys made out of Legos, we taught students how to build and program robots.  By the end of the weekend training, students had built 7 different robots which used motion, sound and color sensors to spin in circles, run into walls and grab objects. 

It was incredible to watch the creativity and self-confidence of our students grow as the weekend progressed.  Students did not think it was possible to build projects like these in such a short period of time.  Most of them expected to sit in front of computers all weekend and be lectured to for hours.  The creativity and hands-on nature of the program took them by surprise.    

As we process all of the materials, we will share our findings.  Thank you for your interest and support of CodeNow.  This was a big first step and would have not been possible if not for the hard work and support of so many people.  An extra-special thanks goes to our partners: Google, Cynergy Systems, iStrategy Labs, Fission Strategy, Jumpstart Labs and New Organizing Institute.  

Our next weekend training is tentatively planned for the end of September. Look forward to updating you on our progress! 

Many Thanks,
Ryan Seashore

As a woman-founded technology firm, getting more girls and young people of color excited about coding, engineering, and technology in general as a career path is a cause close to our hearts at Fission. In my life, technology has been incredibly empowering -- allowing me to earn more, work independently, contribute to causes I love, and travel freely in a way that other career paths would not. I count myself lucky that various adults -- from my dad to my 12th grade physics teacher -- helped push me in this direction at key moments. I love the idea of doing the same now that I'm the adult for other young people in my current hometown of DC.

I want to thank Ryan, Jeff, NOI and everyone else who made the training possible. And I hope this is just the first of many.