Girls Who Code Announces Second Year of International Virtual Summer Coding Program, Featuring New Self-Paced Learning Program

Virtual model to serve as many as 6,000 girls—trans, non-binary, and cis—internationally, taking into account issues of accessibility in order to reach girls in highest-need communities

Program includes new “self-paced” learning model in addition to the traditional virtual Summer Immersion Program model

Data shows the online program, launched in 2020 in response to COVID-19, contributed significantly to efforts to close the gender gap in tech

New York, NY (February 22, 2021) — Girls Who Code today announced that it would be running its signature Summer Immersion Program virtually for the second year in a row, citing significant gains achieved by the program when it first ran online in 2020 in response to COVID-19.

“Last year, in response to COVID-19, Girls Who Code transformed our in-person summer coding programs to a virtual offering in a matter of weeks, making it our highest priority to serve the most vulnerable girls,” said Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code. “We’re thrilled to report that it worked—and that it’s here to stay for 2021. This is a win for our girls, our organization, our country.”

Girls Who Code expects the virtual program to serve 6,000 students—half of them Black, Latinx, low-income—around the world. It is open to rising sophomore, junior, and senior girls—trans, non-binary, and cis—and no prior computer science experience is required. The organization will also release a self-paced program alongside the traditional virtual model—breaking down barriers for highest-need students to participate asynchronously with support from Girls Who Code teachers and coaches.

“Our virtual program this year will incorporate all the same best practices in digital learning that we implemented last year—including shorter days, live and asynchronous instruction, project-based learning, and office hours,” said Dr. Tarika Barrett, COO of Girls Who Code. “And, importantly, we continue to design and refine for the girls who need us most—those lacking access to WiFi, hardware, or adequate learning spaces—so that they can participate in our programs and gain access to the highest-paying, fastest-growing jobs in the global economy.”

The two-week program will give girls a primer in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and include virtual engagements with Girls Who Code corporate partners, such as video chats with senior women in technology, and virtual resume workshops.

The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is sponsored by 42 major companies and philanthropic foundations, including:

Accenture, AT&T, Bank of America, BlackRock, Blizzard Entertainment, Cadence Design Systems, Citizens, CNA, Credit Suisse, DeepMind, Fiserv, Ford Motor Company, GDIT, Goldman Sachs, Intuit, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Kate Spade New York Foundation, Logitech, Match Group, MetLife and MetLife Foundation, Moody’s, Morgan Stanley, P&G, Pfizer Inc., Prudential Financial, Riot Games, Raytheon Technologies, S&P Global and the S&P Global Foundation, Snap Inc., Software.org: the BSA Foundation, State Farm®, Synchrony, The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), Travelers, The Walt Disney Company, ViacomCBS, Walmart, Wells Fargo, Xandr, Yum Brands, Zotec.

To apply for the Summer Immersion Program, click here. Early acceptance applications are due mid-February, with the general application closing in mid-March.

About Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code is an international nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology, and leading the movement to inspire, educate and equip young women with the computing skills needed to pursue 21st-century opportunities.

Since launching in 2012, Girls Who Code has reached 500 million people through its work and 300,000 girls through its in-person programming. College-aged alumni of Girls Who Code are declaring majors in computer science and related fields at 15 times the U.S. average. In 2018, the organization was named the #1 Most Innovative Non-Profit on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list. Follow the organization on social media @GirlsWhoCode.