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Code.org selects Twin Cities PBS as a Regional Partner for Minnesota

November 17, 2017

Saint Paul, Minn. November 18, 2017 — Twin Cities PBS (TPT) joins a nationwide network of Code.org Regional Partners to support efforts to expand access to computer science in K-12 schools in Minnesota. Code.org is a nationwide non-profit dedicated to expanding access to computer science and increasing participation by women and underrepresented minorities. As a Code.org Regional Partner TPT will provide professional development to middle and high school educators through local district partnerships, and work to facilitate a robust computer science educator community across the state.

The need for computer science and coding education is demonstrated throughout Minnesota. In 2016, only 694 students statewide took the AP Computer Science Exam, and only 15% were female. As the designated provider of Code.org Professional Learning Programs in Minnesota, including an AP Computer Science Principles class, TPT will work with school districts to increase those numbers.

During the 2017-18 school year, TPT will recruit teachers from the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area to attend code-focused professional development workshops. These workshops prepare them to teach either the AP Computer Science Principles or a middle school Computer Science Strategies class. During the 2018-2019 academic year, TPT will extend recruitment efforts to Duluth and Rochester-area teachers, with a future goal of expanding offerings to additional districts statewide.

“Code.org has found an excellent partner in TPT,” said Hadi Partovi, Founder and CEO of Code.org. “With their track record and dedication to our shared mission of giving every child the opportunity to learn computer science, we look forward to making a great impact in Minnesota schools.”

Sarah Carter, TPT’s Manager of STEM Media & Education, echoes Partovi’s enthusiasm. “TPT has been creating and sharing trusted educational resources for Minnesota educators for over 35 years,” said Carter. “We’re excited to partner with Code.org to offer new and innovative resources for Minnesota educators, and to help expand computer science offerings for youth across this great state.”

About Twin Cities PBS

Twin Cities PBS (TPT)’s mission is to enrich lives and strengthen our community through the power of media. Established in Saint Paul 58 years ago, TPT now operates as a public service media organization that harnesses a range of media tools to serve citizens in new ways — with multiple broadcast channels, online teaching resources, educational outreach and community engagement activities.  For over thirty years, TPT has been public television’s national leader in inspiring young people, especially girls and youth of color, around the pursuit of STEM studies and career paths. Landmark media projects such as the long-running series Newton’s Apple and DragonflyTV have also provided parents, educators and community leaders with the resources they need to teach, support and empower the next generation of STEM superstars. TPT has continued that tradition of excellence with its current flagship STEM project SciGirls. For more information, visit TPT online, follow TPT on Facebook and Twitter.

About Code.org

Code.org is a Seattle-based, 501c3 non-profit dedicated to expanding access to computer science and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color. Our vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science. Since launching in 2013, Code.org has partnered with public school districts nationwide, helped change policies to expand computer science programs, built innovative curriculum for all levels K-12, and organized the Hour of Code campaign – which has introduced over 100 million students to computer science to date. 

CONTACT:

Sarah Carter, Manager, STEM Media and Education, [email protected] | 651-229-1309

© Twin Cities Public Television - 2017. All rights reserved.

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