In an effort to bring valuable technology education to more kids in Athens, local economic development nonprofit launched its Youth Scholarship Campaign to raise $30,000 to underwrite the cost of 200 area youth to attend code classes this spring. Since 2013, Four Athens has coordinated with local schools and community organizations to introduce programming skills to kids and inspire their interest in STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) fields.

Terrell Austin, Education Director at Four Athens, describes the Youth Scholarship Campaign effort by saying, “A $150 donation provides one student with 12 hours of coding instruction. We have gotten off to a great start this year. One generous donor provided twenty scholarships which has enabled us to launch two classes at local libraries for middle and high school students. The campaign is aimed at making these opportunities ongoing and extending their reach.” She went on to say, “We want to increase the diversity of students taking classes to include more girls and people of color.”

After-school code classes are currently underway and scheduled in several Athens-Clarke County elementary and middle schools-- including Chase, Barrow, Timothy, Hilsman and Clarke Middle. Local private schools and homeschooling groups have also been served by the youth education programs Four Athens facilitates, and two new youth classes began in February developed in partnership with local youth organization Chess & Community and through Pinewoods Library. Instructors for the kids classes are drawn from the local tech community of working professionals and college students to deliver a series of workshops designed to engage various age levels and abilities in hands-on activities that teach core code concepts.