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Alabama Kids Code Helps Close Gap In STEM Education

Alabama Kids Code Helps Close Gap In STEM Education

Alabama is not a state many would mention while discussing technology innovation. It ranked on the low end for innovation potential, according to WalletHub.

There is a gap in quality STEM education in Alabama and in the underserved community. However, this need has not gone unnoticed and is being addressed on the ground and outside the classroom through organizations like Alabama Kids Code.

Alabama Kids Code was founded three years ago by IT expert and consultant Jackie Whitehead. With a computer science degree, a minor in mathematics and 25-plus years of experience, Whitehead has held workshops across the country in her field to share the importance of diversity and inclusion in STEM.

Through regular Saturday meetings and the support of local professionals and businesses, Alabama Kids Code has been able to help provide hands-on STEM learning for African-American students age 7 to 18.

The program has 40 students from around the Birmingham area at various title schools.

One of the students is is Kameron Langford, an 11th-grader at Shades Valley High School. Kameron is heading to Villanova University this summer for an internship thanks to Alabama Kids Code.

“I like that coding creates an opportunity for growth through many different pathways — whether you choose to use the skills for employment or to build your own business,” Kameron said during a Moguldom interview.

Students at Alabama Kids Code do genetics projects, create mobile apps and learn how to build a bridge with a single sheet of paper and 100 pennies. Whitehead is on a mission to not just teach, but to encourage innovation and understanding of real-world applications in each lesson.

US News & World Report reviewed the top 500 public schools for Best High Schools in the U.S. for STEM. Only one high school in Alabama made the list of 251 schools named for success in advanced-placement science and math tests.

Just 14 percent of Alabama students interested in STEM met the benchmarks for college readiness, according to The Condition of STEM 2016 for Alabama — a report released by the ACT standardized test for college admissions.

Underserved learners classified by ACT as minority, low-income or first generation in college, have a high interest in STEM, but “lag far behind their peers,” according to the report. In 2016, only 1,760 African-American students met the ACT College Readiness standards that had an expressed and measured interest in where they would be more likely to pursue a STEM career.

Through social media networking, Whitehead has managed to obtain internship opportunities for her participants at Alabama Kids Code to attend the Villanova University’s NovaEdge, University of Pennsylvania’s Engineering Summer Academy at PENN, University of Maryland’s Discovering Engineering 2018 and HudsonAlpha’s Biotechnology Camp.

Whitehead’s vision expands beyond the Birmingham area. This summer she will be producing a seven-city tour in Alabama to help bring greater awareness and opportunities to youth in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, and Livingston.

Alabama Kids Code is funded by the parents of the participants but Whitehead is looking at corporate sponsorship and continued support from the community.

“There is much work to be done in Alabama and its quality in education being provided to underserved communities,” Whitehead said. It has been hard work over these past three years, but I just can’t sit back and do nothing. I am determined to do my part across the state and make a difference in our community.”

Eleventh-grader Kameron spoke to Moguldom about his thoughts on STEM, “Black Panther” and the future.

Moguldom: What do you like about coding?

Kameron Langford: I like that coding creates an opportunity for growth through many different pathways, whether you choose to use the skills for employment or to build your own business.

Moguldom: How do you see using it in your future?

Kameron Langford: I plan to be a multiple-business entrepreneur, all of which will require a website and mobile applications. I can save money by using my coding skills to perform these tasks myself.

Moguldom: Do you want to attend a university? If so, which one?

Kameron Langford: Yes, I will be attending college. I am strongly considering Tennessee State University. However, I still have an open mind for other colleges as well.

Moguldom: Do you feel as though Marvel’s “Black Panther” is an inspiration for students your age to explore technology more?

Kameron Langford: Yes, “Black Panther” was an inspiration for the younger generation because it broadened our imagination causing more people to realize how much more room we have for growth in this world by way of technology. As well as, how we all can have our special place in contributing to the growth.