Two classes of Govalle Elementary School fourth-graders are taking part in a program designed to encourage students to code. 

Codestarter.org is a nonprofit organization that supplies laptops to students to help develop coding skills in traditionally underrepresented populations. 

Govalle students will take coding classes with a new Google Chromebook supplied by Codestarter. 

If the students complete their first set of classes in the program successfully, the laptop is theirs to keep. 

"We're thrilled that our students will be able to build their coding skills through this collaboration with Codestarter," said Lana Stone, the STEM specialist at Govalle Elementary. 

To receive a laptop, students had to take an online survey about why they want to learn to code and why they need a laptop. 

"Being able to take the laptops home gives the kids some ownership and lets them take coding to a new level that can't be taught in my computer lab," Stone said. "Coding is just like learning another language. It encourages collaboration and communication, and helps students think in terms of flow and syntax." 

"It also helps them problem solve and take a large problem to break it into small steps, which are skills employers today are looking for," she said. 

To learn more about the Codestarter STEM program or coding at Govalle Elementary School, contact Lana Stone at 512-414-2078 or visit codestarter.org.

### 

AISD is the fifth largest school district in Texas, serving approximately 85,000 students at 129 schools. Follow AISD on Twitter at @AustinISD or on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/austinisd.