The Iowa Governor’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Advisory Council, in partnership with NewBoCo in Cedar Rapids, set the stage today (Monday) for Computer Science Education Week by bringing coding to thousands of young Iowans.

The opportunity, referred to as “Code Iowa,” localizes Code.org’s “Hour of Code,” an international effort to introduce millions of students around the world to at least one hour of computer coding. In Iowa, more than 500 schools and organizations, amounting to thousands of students, will take part in coding beginning today (Monday) through December 11th. Among the students participating, are those at the Tri-Center Middle School, in Neola. Their opportunity to code comes Wednesday, from 1-to 1:43-p.m.

Dr. Jeff Weld, executive director of the STEM Council, says “Every aspect of young people’s lives involve computing—how they communicate, learn, entertain, travel, indeed how they stay healthy with fitness trackers and food apps and more. Code Iowa’ takes them behind the screen to produce rather than to merely consume technology, launching lifelong interest we hope in the great IT careers that await across our state.”

Many of Iowa’s participating schools and organizations competed for technology awards as part of “Code Iowa.” Thanks to the generous support of Google and Verizon, one $3,500 award in each of the six STEM regions will be presented across Iowa this week. Awards were based on how applicants plan to implement an hour of computer coding into this week’s curriculum or activities.

All schools and organizations in Iowa that registered for the “Hour of Code” are recognized as Certified Code Iowa Partners through the STEM Council and will receive information about free Computer Science educator workshops in 2017. For more information on Code Iowa, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov/CodeIowa.