A Change Through Coding

So far, there aren’t many girls and children around the world who are interested in coding and technology. Many kids like playing with gadgets, but barely any of them can code.

In my school, we only had computer class starting Grade 4, where we learned how to create and edit colorful documents. We didn’t learn how to code at school, and we probably won’t until a much higher grade level. I learned how to code at home, but only a few classmates also did so. Lots of my classmates have a hard time using a computer to make documents. Others don’t like doing complicated things on the computer, even if these things can help make their projects easier. I highly doubt they would enjoy coding as much as I do. Since they weren’t taught to code at an early age, they don’t have much fun using computers and have a hard time with it.

How do we solve this? We can get more people interested in coding, especially girls and other kids. Doing this not only helps children have an easier time using computers and inventing new things, but it helps solve several Global Goals for Sustainable Development! These are goals created by the United Nations to be fulfilled by 2020. When they are fulfilled, people would have better lives and world would be a nicer, cleaner place to live in.

If more people can code well, they would have well-paying jobs and wouldn’t be unemployed, preventing poverty and providing jobs to people without them.

People can be healthier through technology, too! Different inventions can be made and used to prevent or treat illnesses. Examples of these are medicine dispensers that show how many times a day people took their medicine, robots that can clean up to prevent people from getting germ-related viruses, machines that prevent stress by reviewing students based on study material they scan, and a lot more.

If women and girls prove that they can do big things by programming inventions that can change the world, we might be treated as equals to boys and men, even in other countries. That way, our pay and treatment will be the same. However, nowadays, there are still countries wherein women are treated badly and paid less. Plus, women and children won’t be discriminated for knowing how to code if interest on this topic is common.

Technology can also be used to protect people from danger. Improved and automated security and defense systems can keep more people safe.

The environment can be preserved using technology. Robots that purify floodwater, apps that inspire people to care for animals, garbage cans that teach people how to segregate by telling us where to throw our trash, and other inventions can contribute to saving the world. Digital billboards, computer-designed flyers, and inspiring apps and games can be used to motivate people to use technology and do their part to save the environment.

However, we can’t get more people interested in technology without everyone’s help.

The government can ensure that all public and private schools have enough computers to supply at least one class. That way, classes can take turns going to the computer lab.

Schools can teach coding at a young age, to get more students to grow up with an interest in technology. Since software engineers are good at coding, the best ones can be offered weekly teaching positions. If they accept, they can be guest teachers at nearby schools and teach students how to code.

I can make a website teaching other children how to code. Students can share coding ideas, email projects to each other, and help each other code.

If we all work together to get children and girls interested in technology, we can fulfill the global goals for sustainable development, make more cool inventions, and truly make the world a better place.