Native Girls Code facts for kids
Native Girls Code (NGC) is a cool program based in Seattle. It helps Native American girls, usually between 12 and 18 years old, learn computer coding skills. What makes it special is that it also connects these modern skills with important Indigenous knowledge and traditions. They do this through fun workshops, coaching, and showing girls what's possible.
Native Girls Code is run by a nonprofit organization called Na'ah Illahee Fund. "Na'ah Illahee" means "Mother Earth" in the Chinook language. They work with partners like the University of Washington Information School and the Washington NASA Space Consortium. The goal is to keep traditional knowledge alive, help young women become leaders, and get more Native American students involved in STEM fields. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
The program helps Native girls from different tribes across the United States. It gives them a place to learn about Native culture and science. They also build skills to use modern computer tools. This helps them create things like websites, online games, and even virtual worlds! For example, NGC has held workshops where girls combined traditional storytelling with building robots.
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How Native Girls Code Helps
Learning Computer Skills
Native Girls Code teaches girls how to use computers to create new things. They learn about coding, which is like giving instructions to a computer. This helps them build websites, design games, and even make virtual worlds. These are important skills for many jobs today and in the future.
Connecting with Culture
A special part of NGC is how it mixes computer skills with Native culture. Girls learn about their heritage and traditions while also learning about technology. For example, they might use coding to tell traditional stories or create art inspired by their culture. This helps them feel proud of who they are and where they come from.
Building Future Leaders
The program also helps girls become strong leaders. By learning new skills and working together, they gain confidence. NGC wants to encourage more Native American students, especially girls, to get involved in science and technology. This helps create a brighter future for everyone.
Awards and Support
Grants and Donations
Native Girls Code has received support from many places. In 2016, the City of Seattle gave NGC a grant. This money helped more people in Seattle get access to technology. Google has also been a big supporter of the program. Facebook even donated laptops and filming equipment to help the girls learn and create.
Community Projects
In 2023, the Seattle Foundation gave a grant to NGC. This grant helped them create a digital kiosk. A kiosk is like an interactive screen. This one shares the history of the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Seattle. It's a great way to use technology to teach about important places and stories.
See also
- Girls Who Code
- Black Girls Code
- I Look Like an Engineer
