100 Girls of Code to Open NWA Chapter
100 Girls of Code, recently launched in central Arkansas, is opening a chapter in northwest Arkansas as well.
Go ahead and code it: There's some tech momentum in Arkansas right now.
The Innovation Hub is hosting the Little Rock chapter while Startup Junkie will operate the NWA chapter from above the Fayetteville square.
The program offers free technical training to girls ages 10 to 18 in an effort to address the gender gap that exists in STEM subjects.
The first Little Rock workshop is scheduled from 9 to 3 on Saturday, May 16 from the Hub in Argenta.
No events scheduled yet in Fayetteville, but more info to come.
Meantime, here's the official presser announcing the program's arrival in NWA:
100 GIRLS OF CODE OPENS SECOND ARKANSAS CHAPTER
Chattanooga, TN, April 2, 2015 — “100 Girls of Code” officially has opened a local chapter in Northwest Arkansas. The initiative offers free workshops to females ages 10 to 18 to generate interest in computer science among girls. Each participant of the workshop learns computer-programming basics by building websites and video games. The Northwest Arkansas Chapter will be overseen and managed by Startup Junkie Consulting, located in Fayetteville.
"This program will impact over 100 girls each year in our area that may not have otherwise considered this skill," said Haley Cleous, Senior Analyst, Startup Junkie Consulting. "The 100 Girls of Code program gives us another tool to inspire young girls and show them the vast opportunities in computer science."
"Programs like this also allow us to continue growing tech talent in our region," added Jay Amargos, Executive Consultant, Startup Junkie Consulting. She added, "We want to be part of the solution of closing the gender gap in introducing more girls to computer science."
The “100 Girls of Code” initiative began last year in Tennessee and has now spread to 10 other states. The program aims to have at least 100 girls participate each year. The first effort in Tennessee generated more than 200 participants in a 5-week span. The initiative’s founder, Sammy Lowdermilk, is eager to spread the program across the U.S.
“With the success we’ve seen in such little time, we hope to continue expanding this program to cities big and small across the country,” Lowdermilk said. “We want a chapter in every city, getting more young females interested in a career field in computer science.”
“100 Girls of Code” recently partnered with the AR Regional Innovation Hub to open a Central Arkansas chapter. To learn more about the “100 Girls of Code” initiative and the local chapter, visit http://www.100girlsofcode.com/nw-arkansas
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About 100 Girls of Code
This initiative is a program of TN Code Academy. By offering free computer-programming workshops to young females, ages 12 to 18, the program aims to get more girls interested in computer science fields. The “100 Girls of Code” is touring 8 states this summer. The organization is opening chapters throughout the year, with chapters in Chattanooga, TN, Nashville, TN, Greenville, SC, Columbia, SC, North Little Rock, AR, Fayetteville, AR, and Portland, OR, so far in 2015. For more information, go to www.100girlsofcode.com.