Join the Hour of Code
inspire the next generation in tech
DID YOU KNOW?
- Virginia was the first state to put computer science standards in place for K-12, but all students still do not have access to CS education (Education Week, 2017).
- Schools throughout our region offer CS courses in middle and high school, but they are optional (CBS19, 2019).
- In Virginia, students who identify as female account for 29% of all AP Computer Science test takers (CSTA, 2020).
- In Virginia, Hispanic/Latinx students, Black students, and Native American students are each 3 times less likely than their white and Asian peers to take an AP CS exam when they attend a school that offers it (CSTA, 2020).
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
This year we had to postpone the CBIC Tech Tour because of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the middle and high school youth in our region need see a path forward to their future in Charlottesville and beyond. A lack of role models has been cited as one of the main structural barriers impacting students interest in computer science and technology. You can help students "see themselves" in this field by sharing your story.
We are asking you to create a brief 1-2 minute video sharing your journey into tech, what you are passionate about at your job or a brief glimpse into the day in the life as a [fill in your job title]. Tech-Girls will create a landing page to host the videos and link them to tutorials for hands-on activities from the Summer SPARK! program at St. Anne's-Belfield School.
We will then share this resource with students and teachers in our region and beyond during the Hour of Code (December 7-13).