Facebook’s new TechPrep website is intended to empower more African American and Latino children to learn about computer programming and coding, and to encourage them to pursue careers in the tech field.
GEMS (Girls Excelling in Math and Science) has been working since 1994 to increase interest in STEM for girls in elementary and middle school and to expose girls to the enjoyment and wonder of these fields.
Black Girls CODE aims to increase the number of women of color in the digital space by empowering girls of color aged 7 to 17 to become innovators in STEM fields, leaders in their communities, and builders of their own futures through exposure to computer science and technology. Through community outreach, such as workshops and after-school programs, Black Girls CODE introduces underprivileged girls to basic programming skills in languages such as Scratch and Ruby on Rails.
The shortage of professionals with advanced skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a real challenge for companies and the US economy.