CoderGals

CoderGals is an organization that holds free after school workshops where high school female mentors teach elementary school girls how to code. Through an all girls club environment led by relatable student role models, elementary school girls become leaders, increase their confidence, and stay interested and engaged with STEM.

Many girls lose interest in STEM before middle school. As stated by the New York Times, "girls as young as 6 start to believe that specific activities are “not for them” simply because they think they’re not smart enough." In order to close the gender gap, we must expose young girls to code so they become excited about STEM with the capabilities to create. Many schools do not have computer science teachers, so students are not introduced to coding. Additionally, female STEM role models are not highlighted, and it is difficult for young girls to be what they can't see.

Through free, all-girls, after school workshops, coding becomes accessible. CoderGals workshops only require free resources: a public venue, computers, WiFi, online coding websites, mentors, and participants. High school female mentors have the knowledge and skills to teach and serve as STEM role models. Participating girls will be able to visualize themselves taking higher level STEM classes when they are older by interacting with the older girls. Girls will never be the only girl in a coding workshop and feel left out. Elementary school girls are a critical demographic to engage but other coding organizations target middle and high school girls. 

CoderGals can provide free after school workshops in all communities, most notably the underserved. Girls who ordinarily would not be exposed to coding have an opportunity to gain a new interest and skills. The high school mentors gain community service hours, and increase their self-confidence and leadership skills as role models. The elementary school girls’ confidence and interest in STEM increase. CoderGals benefits the school community, as more girls are involved in STEM opportunities and are leaders in the classroom. CoderGals will benefit the world by increasing the diversity of ideas within technology and the amount of skilled changemakers.

Track number of girls (participants and mentors) involved with CoderGals through chapter reporting survey. - Impact 1000 girls by 2020

Send out a follow up survey to participants and their parents once a year. - At least 75% of elementary school participants remain involved with science, technology, engineering, and math through higher level STEM classes and STEM activities.

Analyze answers to questions surrounding perception of STEM in chapter reporting survey - Participating girls view STEM positively after their involvement with CoderGals workshops

CoderGals is innovative because we target elementary school girls and are led by high school girls. Most organizations teaching girls how to code target middle and high school girls. However, the drop off in interest actually occurs during elementary school. We discuss successful female STEM role models with younger girls while providing them with female STEM role models. Additionally, we supply high school students with needed community service hours. The volunteer-based principle of CoderGals can be applied to numerous other fields such as arts and sports where funding is not available for adults to teach children during the school day.

CoderGals workshops are taught by high school girls to elementary school girls. Although the purpose of the workshops is to spark young girls' interest in STEM and increase their technological skills, the greater motivation is to create relationships between the participants and mentors. Since there is a lack of female STEM role models, we provide them through our high school mentors. The high school girls connect with the elementary school girls in a way that normal teachers do not. The younger girls enjoy the opportunity to learn from older girls who are interesting, relatable, and positive.

CoderGals is deployed through free after school workshops led by high school students. A high school chapter leader recruits mentors and participants to the program. Chapter leaders are given a free curriculum, chapter handbook, and assistance from the organization. The workshops are promoted through the school, library, or community center where the CoderGals chapter is located. CoderGals can be implemented in numerous environments – we have created individual clubs as well as taken girls out of a general after school program. We can supplement extended day programs or provide programming where there currently is none.

Currently, CoderGals has a $0 budget and is entirely youth-run. CoderGals is not dependent on a budget because chapters use computers and WiFi available at libraries, schools, and community centers. The only components essential to our program are computers, WiFi, mentors, and participants. We may become a 501(c)3 non-profit as we receive grants, or alternatively will be housed by a foundation that can accept grants on our behalf.

Our solution is currently only limited by the amount of mentors involved with CoderGals. Currently, there are 13 CoderGals chapters in 6 states and we have impacted over 350 girls. We have previously recruited mentors through press, social media, and websites that promote STEM organizations. By spreading awareness of our organization, we gain new chapter leaders and increase our impact. 

https://twitter.com/codergals

http://us12.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8e2a636502b0059ae846783b3&id=c2aae51c00

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-dff-girlup-0621-20170614-story.html

My solution is an innovative way to ensure that disadvantaged youth have the opportunity to gain 21st century skills. Working with Solve would enable CoderGals to spread its message and expand further to impact as many girls as possible. Solve can connect me to individuals with the expertise and skills to help strengthen and scale my organization. I will broaden my network by connecting with other changemakers and be exposed to ideas at the pitch event that will expand my worldview. Although I am young, I will take full advantage of the opportunity to be a part of the community.

CoderGals teaches elementary school girls how to code - few organizations do this besides CoderDojo.