Bold Idea closing digital skills gap

NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY

By Robyn Brown

In a technology-focused world, few academic subjects offer more potential for impact and innovation than computer science. However, girls and Black and Latinx students have historically been underrepresented in computer science education and consistently experience gaps in access to rigorous STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning opportunities in their public schools. Further, minority students do not often see role models in computer science and technology who look like them.

This opportunity gap is setting students behind, because learning computer science is critical for college and career success. Computing jobs are the top source of new wages in the U.S., and a computer science major can earn 40 percent more than the college average. It’s especially glaring in Dallas — an area that is expected to grow its tech workforce by 17 percent during the next 10 years, according to CompTIA.

Dallas non-profit Bold Idea is closing the computer science opportunity gap for 3rd to 8th grade students in Dallas ISD. The organization delivers after-school Coding Clubs at area schools that combine hands-on learning and mentoring from industry professionals. Together with corporate partners like State Farm and Credera, Bold Idea is creating a pathway to careers requiring technology skills for Dallas students — especially those marginalized by race and income. 

Through 28 learning sessions, students work with mentors in the Clubs on coding projects that prioritize development in computer science and digital literacy skills, as well as critical thinking, collaboration and communication. 

Representation matters, and it is especially important in mentoring relationships. Bold Idea recruits diverse mentors who can serve as role models and help students see their potential in the technology field. Currently, 48 percent of volunteers serving in the Coding Clubs are people of color and 47 percent are women.

Seventh-grader Stacy participates in the Coding Clubs program year round. Although her school in Pleasant Grove doesn’t offer computer science, Stacy was motivated to learn coding to help her secure a place at her preferred Dallas ISD high school. “One of the requirements to be in a high-academic college or high school is to learn how to code and know how coding works. Also, if you want to be a game technician or designer, that can also work,” she said.

Since last summer, Stacy has coded online games in the Javascript programming language. A favorite challenge was coding and animating a yellow sun that melts a snowman. As a result of her participation, Stacy will have the skills and support to pursue a college education and a rewarding career. Bold Idea exists for students like Stacy, creating access and changing the trajectory of what they believe they can be. 

This North Texas Giving Day on Sept. 22, Bold Idea is raising $25,000 for the Coding Clubs program, impacting 225 students at nine Dallas ISD schools in the 2022-2023 school year. This includes establishing Coding Clubs at two new school partners:  Lowe Elementary in Vickery Meadow and Lipscomb Elementary in Junius Heights, both Title 1 schools. New funding will allow more students the opportunity to learn vital computer science skills with the guidance of technology mentors. 

By making a personal donation, donors are contributing to Bold Idea’s goal of closing the digital skills opportunity gap for Dallas students. Early giving kicks off Sept. 1. Go to NorthTexasGivingDay.com to give as all students deserve an excellent education that prepares them for the careers of the future, not just those born in the right neighborhoods.

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