Coding in the Classroom ensures kids and teens learn to love computer science and see themselves as part of the tech community from an early age. By sending UTCS students into schools in Austin to teach kids the basics of computer science and introduce them to programming, Coding in the Classroom encourages UTCS students to become leaders in the community by helping them develop their communication, problem solving, and decision making skills. Coding in the Classroom currently features two main activities: Hour of Code and Classroom Programs. In pursuing these activities, we introduce computer science to a diverse group of students and we build community amongst ourselves.With only 2% of Texas high school students completing a computer science course before graduating, UTCS is stepping up to ensure that today's kids are prepared and excited about the future of computer science.
In 2015 Hour of Code had 100 volunteers who helped expose over 2,300 students to programming at 10 different Austin-area schools, grades Pre-K-12, logging over 200 hours in local classrooms! In 2016 we had 150 volunteers who helped expose over 2,800 students to programming at 10 different Austin-area schools with 350 hours in local classrooms. Coding in the Classroom now serves 6 local area schools throughout the year. Between Coding in the Classroom and Hour of Code, UTCS students are making a huge difference in the community and we need your help to keep it going!
Your gift will provide resources, like transportation and equipment, to help UTCS students grow and reach more kids and teens in Austin's local schools. Coding in the Classroom students bring equipment that routinely needs to be replaced, like LEGO Mindstorms and Kano Kits, to classrooms that give kids a hands-on learning experience. Financial support will also help make sure we get rid of barriers preventing students from joining Coding in the Classroom, like transportation costs, and buying supplies for the various community building events, like get-togethers with kids and their parents.
What is a pledge? A pledge is a promise to pay a specific amount over a set period of time and is a great way to ensure that this program has funding in the future. Pledges for the Coding in the Classroom Fund can be made over a 5-year window. For example, if you make a $2,000 pledge today with an initial payment of $400, you can pay off the pledge by making a $400 gift each December for the next four years. We will send you a reminder each December. If you would like to make a pledge, click here.
Can I utilize my company match? YES! Many employers sponsor matching gift programs (Apple, Google, Microsoft, etc.) and will match any charitable contributions made by employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift program, please click here. Tip: You will need to request the matching gift from your employer.
Did you know that kids who learn computer science in high school are 6 times more likely to major in it, and women are 10 times more likely? Computer science majors have incredible opportunities after graduation. Help us bring computer science to more junior high and high school students! (https://code.org/advocacy/state-facts/TX.pdf)
By introducing computer science to kids at a young age, we can increase their cognitive skills, like analytic and problem-solving skills, number sense, language skills, and visual memory. (Sullivan & Bers, Robotics in the early childhood classroom: learning outcomes from an 8-week robotics curriculum in pre-kindergarten through second grade, 2015)
In 2015 only 2% of Texas high school students completed a computer science course. We're trying to change that by sending UTCS students into the Austin community to teach our kids computer science! (UT News, 2017)
In 2013 only 17.9% of computer science degrees were awarded to women. By introducing STEM curriculum and programming to kids at an early age we can fight gender-based stereotypes and avoid long lasting negative consequences that keep talented kids from seeking out computer science. (NSF, Science & Engineering Indicators, 2016; Sullivan, Gender differences in kindergarteners’ robotics and programming achievements, 2012 )
It's true what they say- teaching others is the best way to learn! A recent report from Google on the igniteCS mentorship program shows that the more confident a student is in mentoring another student in computer science, the more confident she feels in her own school work.
Join us in creating leaders at UTCS! Community service and outreach is incredibly effective for fostering students’ leadership capacity by developing their skills in brainstorming, decision-making, setting goals, and working with others. (Boyd, Bringing Leadership Experiences to Inner-City Youth, 2001; Furco & Root, Research Demonstrates the Value of Service Learning, 2010)