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The benefits of learning to code, we know, are vast. And many experts believe they extend beyond just training for tech fields: coding can teach students better problem-solving skills and encourage them to think creatively.
And it’s never too soon to start, which is why tech giant Apple has joined forces with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to expand access to coding education for kids in communities across the country.
Apple brings with it its “Everyone Can Code” curriculum, and will launch the educational initiative to teens and children via the Boys & Girls Clubs in 10 new regions, and expansion on the five where it has rolled out previously. According to a report in TechCrunch, Apple’s new collaboration “will give students the chance to create and learn about the basics of app design and development. The program will focus on critical thinking and creative problem-solving.”
The venture will utilize Apple’s programming language, called Swift, an open-source approach that’s been used for developing apps for iOS, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch. A press release published by Apple says the company believes education “is a force for equity, and that all learners should have the opportunity to explore and develop coding skills for their future.”
Five cities are further along in their rollout with Apple, which had previously kicked off the first efforts of the partnership. One, in Atlantic City, is about to open its second lab dedicated to STEAM — or STEM, plus the arts — along with a career apprenticeship program.
To date, Apple has donated more than 2,500 devices to various Boys & Girls Clubs in America and, says the company, has “introduced thousands of students to innovative technology experiences.”
Image Credit: Thomas Industry Update
