In celebration of Computer Science Education Week, Apple said Monday it launched a new program that will help tens of thousands of kids and teens at Boys & Girls Clubs in more than a dozen U.S. cities to learn how to code.
The kids and teens will use iPads donated by Apple to access the company’s free Everyone Can Code curriculum alongside educators. That will enable students to learn the basics of app design and development with Apple’s Swift programming language.
New Apple program launching in 10 regions
Apple said the program will launch at Boys & Girls Clubs in 10 regions. They include Atlanta; Austin, Texas; the Washington D.C. metro area; Miami-Dade County; Wake County, North Carolina; the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as others. Programming is already available at clubs in Atlantic City, Chicago, Detroit, Nashville and Newark, New Jersey.
The new program is part of the company’s Community Education Initiative in support of its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.
Photo: Apple
“At Apple, we believe education is a force for equity, and that all learners should have the opportunity to explore and develop coding skills for their future,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “Together with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we’ve already introduced thousands of students to innovative technology experiences, and we are thrilled to expand our partnership to bring coding with Swift to even more communities across the country.”
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
“Boys & Girls Clubs of America is committed to helping youth reach their full potential, which includes equipping young people with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will serve them for years to come,” said Jim Clark, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s president and CEO. “We are thrilled to partner with Apple to enhance Club programming with innovative and educational coding activities that will build kids’ and teens’ engagement and opportunity in technology.”
Today’s announcement builds on a 2020 initiative through which Apple donated 2,500 devices to Boys & Girls Clubs of America locations. They were in Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin.
