Code Girls United receives Spectrum Digital Education grant
HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 10 months AGO
Code Girls United member Liesel Ashley, a fourth-grader, shows Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and his wife Susan an app beginning members use called "Mythical Creatures," on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. The Gianforte's visited Kalispell to award a Spectrum Digital Education grant to the program. During the visit, advanced members showcased a current project where they are creating a version of an old game called "Mastermind," using JavaScript, a programming language; React, a JavaScript library; and Cascading Style Sheets, a style sheet language. (Photo provided by Spectrum)
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | December 21, 2021 11:00 PM
Code Girls United is the recipient of a $10,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant for its educational coding, technology, and business program.
Code Girls United is a free Kalispell-based after-school program for girls grades four through eight around Montana. In addition to learning coding and business skills through in-person and online learning, participants build apps and have opportunities to compete.
Code Girls United will use the funding to purchase additional technology to expand its online program to reach more students in remote, tribal and rural areas across the state. According to a press release, “Spectrum aims to help Code Girls United break down racial, gender, and economic barriers for future generations of girls by leveraging the power of technology and broadband connection.”
Gov. Greg Gianforte joined Spectrum last Thursday to award the grant in Kalispell. Code Girls United members demonstrated their projects, including an app targeting teenagers with financial planning, a game using Javascript and React and a program that controls LEDs using software and hardware.
“Code Girls United continues to increase awareness of STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] education and encourage Montana girls to become problem solvers through coding and business training. Thanks to Code Girls United, and the girls they inspire, opportunities will grow in Montana, and our future is brighter,” Gianforte said.
Marianne Smith, Code Girls United executive director, thanked Spectrum for allowing the group to “open doors and create more opportunities” for girls throughout the state.
“We are grateful for Spectrum’s partnership as we work to build the next generation of female leaders in our communities and in the field of STEM [science, technology, engineering, math] by teaching young girls coding and practical business skills,” Smith said.
Code Girls United is one of 49 nonprofits around the country to receive a Spectrum Digital Education grant in 2021.
For more information visit https://codegirlsunited.org.
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 406-758-4431 or [email protected].
ARTICLES BY HILARY MATHESON
Musically inclined students perform at the 2026 All-State Music Festival
Top high school musicians from the region performed at the All-State Music Festival Gala Concert Oct. 16 in Bozeman.
Evergreen educator named Montana Teacher of the Year
Evergreen Junior High special education teacher Kenny Ross is Montana's Teacher of the Year.
FVCC faculty issues no-confidence vote amid president contract negotiations
The FVCC Education Association, the Flathead Trades Instructors Association and the Federation of Flathead Valley Community College Adjunct Faculty have voted no confidence in FVCC Executive Director of Human Resources Karen Glasser, saying they have lost trust in her leadership and judgment.