While the global pandemic has forced many events to be postponed or outright cancelled, others have restructured and adapted to an online world. Blizzard has again partnered with Girls Who Code (GWC) to help ensure the organization remains available with their Summer Immersion Program through virtual tools, now in its third year.
The non-profit organization works to close the gender gap in technological industries by giving girls the necessary tools to learn and grow, with a focus on historically underrepresented groups through clubs, university networks, and high schools. This year’s program consists of an intensive two-week experience that takes place completely online, with twenty-six students making up the Blizzard cohort and nearly 5,000 young women across the world.
The students will learn HTML, CSS, and Javascript before working on a final project showcase with website projects shared and evaluated. In transitioning to an online-only program due to the pandemic, the organization needed to consider potential issues relating to accessibility for those girls who are the hardest to reach. This includes issues relating to access to WiFi, hardware, and individual living circumstances.
Blizzard has partnered with the organization, but is not alone in its support. In total, there are forty-three major companies and philanthropic foundations involved, which assist by providing resources and accepting students into individual cohorts. Some of the other organizations involved in the partnership include Electronic Arts, Riot Games, Twitter, WarnerMedia – to name a few.
With the most recent two-week program wrapped up, it will be fascinating to see how the program moves forward. Much like organizations who see that their members can work remotely as/more effectively, Girls Who Code may too move towards a permanently online structure.
Alternatively, as things eventually return to normal, the organization may shift to blend the best of both worlds. Leveraging the power of an online-only component is sure to be a great way to reach some young women who cannot work within the confines of in-person meetings. In any case, this looks like a great learning opportunity for Girls Who Code.
Since launching in 2012, the organization has reached over 500 million people and more than 300,000 girls through its programming events. The pandemic may be around for a while, but it seems like the organization’s mission is on track to keep growing.
Source: girlswhocode.com, news.blizzard.com
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