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If you’re looking for the Code.org blog, please join us over at Medium. You’ll find all Code.org news, curriculum updates, stories and announcements there. Thanks for reading! 

WOW! Young women and underrepresented minorities break records in computer science as the fastest-growing groups! https://medium.com/@codeorg/girls-and-minorities-break-records-in-computer-science-as-fastest-growing-groups-39d23425810e

The Hour of Code is almost here—get custom shirts for your event!

With the Hour of Code quickly approaching, we know that many of you are looking for ways to celebrate. And what better way to do that than with a customized school t-shirt! 

Customize Hour of Code shirts for your event in just 5 easy steps.

Step 1: Choose one of three logo designs Teal Logo: https://www.customink.com/designs/hocyouth/hzf0-00as-92h8/twt Black Logo: https://www.customink.com/designs/hocyouth2/hzf0-00as-aqqx/twt Turquoise Logo: https://www.customink.com/designs/hocyouth3/hzf0-00as-ar4g/twt

Step 2: Customize your shirt - Click “Edit This Design” - Click “Your School” on the Image to select the text - Edit the text in the “add text” box on the left panel and click Update. If your school or organization name is long, you can resize the text or change the font on this tab.

Step 3: Save your design Click “Save/Send” to send the design to yourself. **You MUST complete this step, especially if you are going to call CustomInk. They will use your email to pull up your saved design.**

Step 4: Place your order Open the email you receive from Custom Ink to place your order. Take a minute to review the amounts, sizes and payment type you are using.

Step 5: Get ready to celebrate Your shirts will be on their way for the Hour of Code! Please allow 2-3 weeks for production and delivery. All orders will be handled directly through CustomInk.

All questions about production and delivery should be directed to CustomInk.

Have fun, and happy coding!

Today, the White House commits $200M/year to expand access and diversity in computer science. The opportunity to learn computer science shouldn’t be determined by the color of a student’s skin or the neighborhood she lives in. This victory for students has been 4 years in the making; a huge thanks to all of our supporters!

Support Code.org Through AmazonSmile!

Prime day may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to support Code.org through Amazon Smile anytime you shop!

Step 1. Download the AmazonSmile extension for your favorite browser:

Step 2. Choose Code.org as your preferred charity.

Step 3. Shop! Whenever you visit AmazonSmile from your browser extension and shop, a percentage of all your purchases will go to Code.org to make sure all students continue to have the opportunity to learn computer science.

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn computer science. And our survey results show that more students want to learn! For the second year in a row, girls make up 45% of our students and underrepresented minorities make up 48% of students.

An 8-year-old student made this on Code Studio with the title "Cool." We'd have to agree. http://bit.ly/coolcodestudio

Fascinating view of the downstream impact of autonomous vehicles

Excited to partner with @GM and @mtbarra as we all work to close the gender and minority gap in STEM! 

http://fortune.com/2017/06/28/gm-mary-barra-stem-partnerships/

Computer Science Education a Top Focus in 2017 State Legislative Sessions

Bipartisan group of Governors working across the country to improve funding, professional development, and high-quality standards

June 27, 2017 – Across the country, the 2017 legislative session saw a rise in budget requests and legislation linked to K-12 computer science education, reflecting the growing demand among educators, families, and policymakers for increased access to high-quality computer science education.

A number of the Governors leading the push for computer science education are members of the Governors for Computer Science Education Partnership, a collaboration among states focused on advancing legislation and policy designed to expand access to high school computer science courses, develop high-quality K-12 computer science learning standards, and provide comprehensive professional learning opportunities to teachers and school leaders.

During the 2017 legislative session, Partnership co-chairs Governors Asa Hutchinson (R - Ark.) and Jay Inslee (D - Wash.) proposed budget allocations to support course implementation and professional learning for educators. Arkansas’ proposed budget was approved, and Washington’s budget is currently under consideration by the state legislature.

“Arkansas’s nation-leading focus on access to computer science instruction has led to a 400 percent increase in computer science enrollment since the 2014-2015 school year. Quality computer science instruction is just as important as math or English for students in our increasingly tech-driven world,” said Governor Hutchinson. “States must be proactive about increasing exposure to computer science and coding to prepare students for the careers of the 21st century.  I am pleased to co-chair the Governors for Computer Science Education Partnership as we work to promote greater access to computer science and coding across the nation.”

Across the country, computer science education is garnering support:

Several other states are presently considering legislation to advance access to computer science education. Leaders include Ohio, which introduced a bill in the house to direct creation of K-12 computer science standards and establish a competitive technology grant program. North Carolina is also pursuing K-12 standards legislation, and Colorado and Montana are pursuing creation of computer science education resource hubs for teachers. States across the nation are pursuing increased access to resources and educator certification in addition to making computer science education courses count toward high school graduation.

About the Governors for Computer Science Education Partnership: Launched in 2016, The Governors’ Partnership for K-12 Computer Science is a group of state leaders committed to advancing policy and funding to expand access to, and increase equity in, K-12 computer science (CS) education. The Partnership shares best practices for computer science education reform, and advocates for federal policies that support the expansion of and access to K-12 computer science, including funding opportunities, flexibility, and policy change.

Thank you to 600,000 passionate teachers - everyday heroes who are bringing computer science and opportunity to over 100 million students. We're so happy to support you and the work you do each day as you make an incredible impact in student's lives.

Want to take Pokémon to the next level? Create your own app like this student!

Code.org launches new CS Discoveries course, offers free Arduino kits to participating classrooms

This week, Code.org launched our new CS Discoveries course at our TeacherCon professional development conference in Houston. The new course fills a much-needed gap in school curriculum, offering students in grades 7-9 a chance to learn web design, create games and apps, as well as physical computing. Over 800 teachers are participating in the Code.org professional learning program to begin teaching the course this school year to over 30,000 students.

Code.org has partnered with Adafruit to create a classroom kit of the Adafruit Circuit Playground Classic boards and accessories, based on the popular Arduino platform, for use with the new course. Today, Code.org announced it will subsidize a classroom kit for every teacher participating in its 2017-18 CS Discoveries professional learning program.

For schools where more than half the students are on free or reduced meal plans, the Arduino kits will be provided to teachers free of charge. For other teachers in the program, Code.org and Adafruit will subsidize 70% of the cost. Based on the professional learning program’s registration numbers, over 11,000+ Circuit Playground Classic boards will be subsidized to help students learn physical computing.

Students create prototypes of internet-connected physical computing devices using Adafruit's Circuit Playground Classic board and App Lab.

Focused on grades 7-9, CS Discoveries empowers students to engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun. While designed to engage students with varying levels of experience, CS Discoveries was carefully crafted not to put beginners at a disadvantage from the outset. Circuit Playground, used as the core tool in the physical computing unit of CS Discoveries, emerged when Adafruit uncovered a need in the Maker community for a low cost, solder-free entry point for students interested in computer programming and electronics. Adafruit worked with educators to create a board packed full of sensors, lights, sound, and more - all with an out-of-the-box set of experiments.

“I do not have a computer science background. I went through the training pilot for CS Discoveries. I would change nothing about the training. It was an incredible experience, and I felt valued and respected as a teacher and facilitator. I would absolutely recommend anything Code.org has to offer to any teacher. Period. The lesson plans are incredible.” Renee Coley, English teacher, Hannah Ashton Middle School, Ohio

The Arduino-based board kits are integrated with Code.org’s familiar App Lab which is used throughout the course, enabling students to get up and running quickly, and removing traditional barriers that teachers often encounter attempting to teach physical computing. And by subsidizing the kits, Code.org continues its efforts to democratize computer science education, to broaden participation by underrepresented minorities and classrooms in the most underprivileged neighborhoods.

“Code.org’s dedication to inclusivity and bringing computer science to students of all backgrounds is part of our mission and something we celebrate at Adafruit. We couldn’t be happier to partner on this exciting initiative!” said Limor ‘ladyada’ Fried, Founder and Lead Engineer of Adafruit.

Happy Father's Day to all the "World's Best Dads!"

Happy #FlagDay! Make your own flag today on Code Artist! https://studio.code.org/s/artist/stage/1/puzzle/1

Our founder Hadi Partovi helps Peru launch the #HourOfCode, with the Minister and Vice Minister of Education, and amazing students and student leaders

Help your children smartly navigate the online world with Google’s cyber-security program and #BeInternetAwesome!