Coding for Change
Coding for Change
Context
Algorithmic Bias creates exclusionary experiences and discriminatory practices in our technology. It results from a lack of accountability and a lack of diverse individuals creating technology.
The good news? It can be changed! This station will introduce you to ways coding and technology can be used for positive change. Learn about the opportunities your students can pursue, and plan to share resources with them in upcoming coding lessons.
The Challenge
9 Dots' mission is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to engage in a transformative computer science education. Learn a bit about what algorithmic bias is, then explore ways that code can be used for change by our students. Some of the resources are more or less student-friendly, depending on the grade level you teach.
How might you go about sharing these resources with your students? How might you explain to them why CS is an important field that they could enter into? Outline your plan on the graphic organizer and pick an upcoming lesson to incorporate the video into.
Guiding questions as you explore:
- What resources surprised or interested you?
- What stories do you think your students will be interested to learn about?
- How will coding in elementary school prepare your students to pursue computer science?
- What career connections might your students be interested in that aren't explored below?
Algorithmic Bias
Learn about algorithmic bias and the ways people are fighting it.
Watch a more in-depth video on the impacts of algorithmic bias.
Coding for Change
The story of Dorothy Vaughan, a groundbreaking African-American mathematician and human computer who worked for NASA and helped put humans on the Moon.
Mitu Khandaker is the CEO and co-founder of Glow Up Games, a company that makes video games geared toward girls and people of color.
NBA star Steph Curry talks about coding.
Learn about Gladys Mae West who was part of the team that developed the Global Positioning System (GPS) in the 1950s and 1960s.
Maria is a robotics engineer at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA where she develops robotics systems for space exploration.
Katherine Johnson was part of a group of African-American women who worked on critical mathematical calculations in the early days of human spaceflight, as chronicled in the best-selling book and hit movie “Hidden Figures.”
Jessica is a software engineer with SurveyMonkey, a tech company that creates and designs custom online surveys.
Learn how tech is used in sports events.
Casey Reas uses code to express his thoughts—starting with a sketch, composing it in code, and witnessing the imagery that it ultimately creates.