NOLA CODE is a fiscally sponsored entity of Trinity Christian Community (TCC). TCC is a faith-based organization that educates and equips New Orleans leaders and organizations to effect change through, among other things, youth mentorship. Building upon the success of previous e-learning programs, TCC will be sponsoring NOLA CODE. NOLA CODE's pilot program began at the TCC headquarter's youth center on Monday September 14th to great fanfare from students and TCC staff alike.
Through our program, we at NOLA CODE aim to impart an elementary understanding of the core concepts underlying computer science and broader computer engineering to the children already in attendance at TCC. This we plan to do on an ongoing basis, within schools, and other partnering youth centers as well as our own.
Computer science will be taught using the curricula available through code.org, as well as MIT Scratch and other resources. Learning computer engineering will include building robots and other circuitry projects on the platform Arduino. Computer engineering instruction also includes the basics of CAD modeling and 3D printing.
The population of children we serve are 6-15 year old children (K-8th graders). Among our students this Fall, 90% qualify for free or reduced lunch, 90% are African-American and Latino, and 60% are female. NOLA CODE seeks to actively ameliorate the economic, racial, and gender disparity within computer science and engineering. A majority of our students will continue to be from among these under-represented groups as we move forward.
Our short term objective is to maintain or exceed 88% comprehension and continued interest in computer science. Long term, our progress will be evaluated based on the size, quality, and value of our children's portfolios and the professional success they make possible. Their patents and open source licensed work will be invaluable for higher learning, trade and industry certification, and upward economic mobility purposes.
In order for us to achieve this grand vision, the kids need you to help us meet our remaining critical expenses for our 2015 Fall pilot. These include instructor compensation, supplies, and the set-up and configuration of our server. Through our server, an old repurposed office PC, we will have a space whereby members of the community (parents and legal guardians of the children) may own their own children's data.
Have fun, drink up. Support New Orleans Kid's learning to code.
Together we can enable our city's children to make a piece of the world their own out of code.
