This pledge can be made by anyone at SxSWi - or anyone in technology anywhere. Here's why this is important:

Reason #1: Our kids, both domestically in the US, and worldwide, are not getting enough exposure to computational thinking, essential computer science, design principles, entrepreneurship, and, most critically, computer coding

Reason #2: Even if kids don't grow up to be software engineers, learning to code builds critical "hard skills" such as logic, math, and even grammar. It also helps develop "soft skills" for character development such as grit, perseverance, team work, and problem solving

Reason #3: There is an economic and social imperative, as laid out by Code.org

Reason #4: We as a tech community are not doing nearly enough to "give back" to our local communities. There are myriad examples this past year of "tech behaving badly". We can do better

 

By signing this petition, you commit to doing the following. You will ...

Find out what and where your local public elementary, middle, or high school is, and introduce yourself to the school, and

Attend or create a local meetup around the topic of teaching CS in schools (such as the one in NYC done by CSNYC), and

Advocate in the coming year for increased philanthropy (both in volunteer time and dollars) as well as general community "give back" by the tech sector in your local city/town, and

Additionally advocate for more women in tech, and support programs that make teaching code to girls a priority, and

Share this petition on social media using the hashtag #teachkidscode (This Click to Tweet will do the trick).

 

You will also do at least one of the following:

Volunteer for a program through/with/via an organization/effort such as Code.org, TEALS, CodeNOW, CSNYC, ScriptEd, Scratch, Code To Learn, Girls Who Code, Black Girls Code, NFTE, Scalable Game Design, CodeHS, CoderDojo, Dash, VEI, Bootstrap, Citizen Schools, etc. (A fuller list is here; also see this list), or

Volunteer directly at a local school in your area to teach coding, design, business/entrepreneurship, or something else that improves the lives of children in your city or town, or

Donate your time to the development of computer science education curriculum (perhaps though an organization like CSTA or Exploring CS), or

If you really can't find time to volunteer, you'll contribute financially to causes like the NYC Foundation for Computer Science.

(NOTE: If you need help getting connected to a program where you can volunteer your skills, complete this form.)

 

So, whether you are in Austin or keeping tabs from afar, are you in? All you need to do is sign your name, share, pledge, and teach.