Youth Development Programs at Soft Innovation
To foster diversity in the software workforce and promote coding literacy among young students, Soft Innovation is committed to empowering elementary and middle school teachers to integrate coding activities into their daily curriculum. By doing so, we aim to inspire the next generation of tech leaders from an early age.
In collaboration with school districts across New York State’s Capital Region, we have reached over one hundred K-12 educators. Our workshops focus on the importance and accessibility of coding literacy and computer science education, providing training for Superintendents, Principals, Guidance Counselors, Instructional Technologists, Library-Media Specialists, Teachers, and Teaching Assistants. Our goal is to build their confidence in incorporating coding into their classrooms.
Empowering Educators and Students
Our professional development programs for elementary school teachers include detailed lesson plans and in-class support from education majors at local universities. Through these initiatives, we have successfully launched Scratch coding projects for 2nd-5th grade classes, seamlessly integrating them into subjects like English Language Arts, Science, Art, and Music. We are also in the process of developing Python coding activities for 6th-7th grade classes.
Each of our coding activities is designed to align with State Education and ISTE standards, drawing inspiration from CS For All and CSTA scaffolding, while remaining adaptable to the needs of teachers and students. Our mission goes beyond simply introducing kids to coding; we aim to transform mindsets about the relevance of coding skills and who can pursue careers in technology.
Goals of Our K-12 Programs
- Build capacity for coding education in public schools
- Encourage young people to become creators, not just users, of software
- Shift perceptions about the relevance of coding and who can work in technology
- Open pathways for students, teachers, and families towards coding literacy and software expertise
By integrating coding into the everyday learning experience, Soft Innovation is paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive future in the technology sector. Reach out to us to learn more about how we can work together to bring coding literacy to your school.
Ready to take the first step towards a brighter future? Apply today and join a community dedicated to your success.