> Code Savvy
Closing gaps in computer science education through youth-empowering, real-world coding experience
Closing gaps in computer science education through youth-empowering, real-world coding experience
Imagine a world where all youth and educators are empowered with the knowledge, skills, and support to create with technology, all while working to interrupt and counteract gender and racial gaps in computing. This is what Code Savvy brings to Minnesota.
Code Savvy is a Minnesota nonprofit organization that is on a mission to interrupt and counteract gender and racial gaps in computer science education by providing opportunities for hands-on computer science learning that empower all youth and educators in Minnesota with the knowledge, skills, and support to create with technology. Code Savvy is a central resource and incubator for local advocates and champions for the advancement of K12 computer science learning opportunities. Code Savvy’s network activates free and low-cost community-based programs and services that give real- world coding experience to youth traditionally underrepresented in computer science, specifically females and students of color.
We also provide training to educators whose reach, impact, and potential for inspiring the next generation grows exponentially year over year. Our educator training initiatives emphasize equitable and inclusive computer science teaching practices through continuous training and train-the-trainer approaches to create a network of visionary educators equipped to transform computer science education in Minnesota.
Rebecca Schatz founded Code Savvy in 2013. Her vision was inherently about inclusion: helping kids see new models and pathways to pursue their own passions, dreams, and careers in new and accessible ways. With this in mind, Code Savvy has created a number of accessible programs and services in local neighborhoods and schools in Minnesota:
Code Savvy has been publicly recognized for the success of our programs. In November 2017, Code Savvy’s educator training initiative MN Coding in the Classroom Leadership Cohort received the STEM Education Tekne award. This award recognizes Minnesota’s technology innovators and innovations and was presented by the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) at the 18th annual Tekne Awards.
Code Savvy’s MNCodes Educator Training initiative was developed in response to the absence of state sponsored computer science education training and is on the leading edge of developing computer science awareness and skills among K12 educators through continuous hands-on training, mentoring, and an annual state-wide MNCodes educational conference. Code Savvy aims to elevate educators’ ideas related to integrating computer science into the existing curriculum and broadening participation in computing.
Participants in our year-long educator cohort provide computer science–related training to at least 10 other educators, as well as create a computer science curriculum unit that integrates with another subject area. The curriculum unit and training resources are shared publicly on Code Savvy’s website.
The sustainability of this practice sets Code Savvy apart as a leader in the field and contributes to a supportive educator network that is expanding equitable and inclusive computer science education in Minnesota. Through partnerships with computer science industry leaders such as Unisys, Target, and Clockwork, and colleges and universities, such as the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Community and Technical College and the College of St. Scholastica, teachers are afforded experiential learning opportunities which can be directly applied to the classroom environment. This type of high-quality, collaborative, handson professional development supported by local industry leaders is something that is unparalleled in the world of computer science education training today.
Through 2019, Code Savvy has reached over 40,000 students and 3,300 educators across over 80 Minnesota school districts and is supported by over 500 volunteers who have worked more than 22,000 hours to support our programs.
Code Savvy Future Plans:
We will continue to expand our programs in an effort to reach all Minnesota youth and educators, with a specific focus on expanding offerings for female-identifying youth and for educators from rural and urban schools.
Code Savvy