The Problem
The Dream Coders program will have guided lessons on Machine Learning, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python, with plenty of coding practices so students can make mistakes and debug their code. In addition, I want to encourage students to interrupt me and ask questions to truly extend on the content being taught, and to show them that no question is silly. At the end of each lesson, a woman in STEM will be highlighted. Girls all over the country need to be provided with mentorship/community, coding opportunities, a creative outlet, and need to be shown that it is always good to make mistakes and ask questions. This program will have a huge impact on introducing girls to computer science and help them develop the confidence to continue in the field.
Our Plan
The Dream Code Project is an initiative that aims to provide HTML, CSS, Java, JavaScript, Python, and Machine Learning lessons in an engaging way to middle school girls all over the country. Additionally, The Dream Code Project will have an 'Ask a Computer Scientist' Office Hours, in which students from all over the country can ask programmers at tech companies to help them debug their code, ask advice on their tech careers, or ask for assistance on their CS Projects. The Dream Code Project addresses STEM inequalities by introducing girls to tech and providing resources to students on their projects. Schedule: May 15, 2021- Cultivate official Dream Code Project Team with students all over the country and in Central Illinois. Get zoom plans finalzied May 30, 2021-Schedule and start registration/advertising for The Dream Code Project 17 month programming cycle, Summer and Fall workshops June 6, 2021-Finalize curriculum in all workshops, cycles, and programming languages. June 10, 2021-Start programming initiatives for the year 2021-2022, including workshops, programming initiatives July 15, 2021-Establish social media presence, and launch website September 2021-Share lesson plans with public and finish licensing lesson plans -----Continue into the year 2021-2022, and enhance curriculum 'Ask A Programmer Initiative' May 20th, 2021-Finalise zoom and video conferencing platform plans, pay money to access June 15, 2021-Officaly build and Launch the website to the public. June-July, Start recruiting of Tech employees who would be willing to volunteer their time. Run background checks, and partner with companies to run this initiative and provide volunteers July 15, 2021-Establish social media presence in conjunction with the Dream Code Project. July 2021-Start the Programming Initiatives and office hours Start advertising the program. Throughout the year make sure to schedule group mentorship sessions and recruit speakers.