Google Launches $50-Million Project to Build Girls’ Coding Skills

Google has developed a $50-million project to draw more girls into computer coding and help plug a looming skills gap in the technology sector, USA Today writes.

The Made for Code program debuts Thursday with a Manhattan kickoff for 150 high-school girls in the New York area, with Chelsea Clinton and the TV star Mindy Kaling among the speakers. A dedicated website will teach girls to use basic coding technique to design jewelry and other items. Google will also fund national marketing and awareness campaigns and make grants for youth organizations to host coding parties.

“Our industry has lots of stereotypes, including the notion that coding means sitting at a computer alone,” said Megan Smith, a Google vice president. “We hope to show girls that coding is fun. But there’s also the simple fact that supply and demand is not working. There are millions of jobs out there going begging.”