Code for Fun

Code for Fun is a non-profit organization located in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a mission to introduce computer science to as many students as possible from an early age. It aims to address the increasing demand for computer science experts by exposing young learners to programming concepts, thereby helping to close gaps in gender and economic disparities within the tech industry.

History and Founding

Founded by a former Facebook executive, Code for Fun has been operational for a few years, achieving significant growth. Its initial focus was on rapidly expanding computer science education to younger students across the United States.

Programs and Services

The organization offers a wide range of educational programs for students from K to 12th grade, including:

• After-school programs
• Summer camps
• In-school instruction
• Teacher training for professional development

For 9th to 12th grades, Code for Fun provides a customized high school coding program that prepares students for the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles (APCSP) exam.

Goals and Impact

One of the primary goals of Code for Fun is to bridge the gender gap in computer science by exciting young girls about the field. The organization reports that 60% of participants in their programs are girls, which is significantly higher than the national average of women pursuing computer science degrees.

Code for Fun also addresses economic disparities by offering 50% of its instruction for free in under-resourced communities. This strategy helps ensure equal access to computer science education regardless of economic background.

Future Plans

The organization plans to launch a Computer Science Continuous Learning (CSCL) program, aiming to provide each child with 10 hours of computer science instruction during the school year. This program will utilize volunteer support and a ready-to-teach curriculum for grades K-8.