The Alice and Eugene Ford Foundation and Boolean Girl in a newly-formed partnership launched two after-school clubs on Sept. 27 that provide instruction in computer science and engineering for students, grades 3 – 8 at two venues: Brookland Manor and Noyes Elementary in Ward 5 with classes designed to accommodate up to 25 students.
During the first part of the curriculum, the Boolean Girl clubs at Brookland Manor and Noyes Elementary will introduce students to fundamental concepts in computer science with Scratch – an introductory programming language developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Scratch uses graphical blocks that allow students to build interactive stories, animated videos, puzzles and games.
Classroom instruction will continue with students learning a more advanced language, Python, that’s used in applications like Instagram and Amazon. Youth will also have the opportunity to take part in projects in electronics, physical computing and more.
“This is exactly the type of community enrichment programing that Eugene Ford, Sr. sponsored his entire career,” said MidCity’s Director of Community Relations, Dr. Robert K. Johns.
“We are thrilled to partner with Boolean Girl and proud to be supporting STEM education in Ward 5 for our residents and the families served by Noyes elementary,” Johns said.
“Boolean Girl was created to address the declining number of women and girls in science, technology and engineering jobs and we’re proud to be bringing that effort to Ward 5,” said Ingrid Sanden, co-founder of Boolean Girl.
“This partnership with MidCity and the Alice and Eugene Ford Foundation will help bring the promise of STEM to boys and girls in DC who deserve an opportunity to learn and work with technology,” Sanden added.
Both clubs serve as part of a pilot program that will run through the 2018-2019 school year. The programs are made possible through a donation of $17,250 from the Ford Foundation which supports the club’s operations and helps provide equipment.
For more information or to register for either club, visit the Brookland Manor Community Center, 2511 14th Street NE.