Supermodel Karlie Kloss Has Right Idea Getting Girls in Coding

With it being revealed that less than one percent of girls study Computer Science, according to Google’s Made with Code, it is obvious there needs to be a change. Supermodel Karlie Kloss, who found a passion for coding after taking a course at New York University, wants to use her celebrity status to ensure girls are encouraged to be educated in software development.

Nonprofit organization Girl Develop It, which has a presence in Milwaukee, has the ball rolling on providing opportunities for women who want to learn how to code. As fantastic as that is, Kloss can take it a step further by using her presence in the media and on social media to open the coding world to those who may lack the ability to go about learning software development. With 1.1 million followers on Twitter, 1.5 million likes on Facebook, and 4.4 million followers on Instagram, Kloss has the necessary global following that can reach even the smallest markets.

“Kode with Klossy” is a two-week summer program in Los Angeles, New York, and St. Louis that will provide 80 scholarships to girls aged 13-18 to learn the fundamentals of Ruby.

Despite the program only being two weeks, it is a clear jumping off point that opens the doors for many more opportunities to learn and be creative. Obtaining the foundations of code through a hands-on experience is what is most intriguing. As many coding boot camps have discovered, the immersive aspect allows a student to learn so much in a short period of time. It is staggering what the 2015 Kode with Klossy scholars absorbed in two weeks and what devCodeCamp graduates accomplish in 14 weeks.

Even if the girls and young women attending the summer program do not end up with careers as computer scientists, it is undeniable that the underlying knowledge of coding will give them the ability to be successful in their respective fields. The way technology continuously evolves proves the ability to code has the potential to give a person a huge advantage in the work force. Whether that means working for a corporation or bringing a business idea to life in the form of a startup company, there is no denying coding will continue to pave the way for future generations.