Coded By Kids

Results: CbK is committed to offering free tech-ed classes to disadvantaged communities and underrepresented young people. By creating opportunities in technology for all underrepresented young people, regardless of income level of the resources available at their schools, we are leveling the playing field in the tech industry. Our programming exposes these students to high-quality tech and entrepreneurship education, and the mentorship and support system, needed to prepare them to succeed as tech and innovation leaders. Since 2014, CbK has served over 800 students across all 30 program sites in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Over 80% of our students enrolled in the integrated programs come from underserved and/or underrepresented populations. The median household incomes of the top neighborhoods we serve in Philadelphia range from $18,557 to $58,784. The spending gap between wealthy and low-income school districts in Pennsylvania ranked the highest in the nation in 2015. In a city such as Philadelphia, where the School District spends $9,062 per student (2016-2017) in comparison to the $15,748 spent per student in a typical wealthy district in PA, there are simply no resources to provide students with high-quality tech education and computer science courses. Our programs bridge that gap, creating opportunities for underrepresented young people to enhance their social capital and financial wealth through tech. With an average of 800 program hours taught every year, 80% of our graduated students report pursuing a career in tech and 50% of students are interested in pursuing a computer science or tech related major. With the implications of COVID-19, we have transitioned to virtual programming and launched CbK Academy. The first group of 50 students, currently enrolled in our in-person classes, began the program on May 4th. Our long-term strategy to support and facilitate the virtual programs is to build a custom learning management system designed specifically for project-based learning. We have consistently found that learning management systems are not designed for project-based learning, rather these features are added as an afterthought and poorly support this education style. While this system will be the technology that supports our programs, we plan to offer it to schools and nonprofits in the future. CbK Academy is not a replacement for our in-person programming, rather it is an enhancement to our programming. Fully online programs allow us to provide accessible high-quality coding education to students during this time when in-person classes are not an option, yet the need for educational programming is at its greatest. While we still are, and always will be committed to providing in-person classes to our students, CbK Academy will also allow us to expand our outreach to more students once in-person classes resume.

Target demographics: underrepresented young people to succeed as tech and innovation leaders

Direct beneficiaries per year: over 550 underrepresented students from low-income and underresourced communities in Philadelphia and surrounding areas

Geographic areas served: providing access to quality and free tech education

Programs: basic to advanced web development, digital design, and tech startup entrepreneurship concepts. Students participate in our programs for multiple years, progressively increasing their skill level and experience. They learn in highly engaging environments and gain real-world skills. We connect them to mentors from tech and innovation to ensure they have a network and support system of professionals.