Extracurricular opportunities
Extracurricular activities like hackathons, coding clubs, and summer camps are a great way to use and extend what you learn in the classroom and experience the collaborative nature of computer science. Explore the opportunities below to take the next step on your CS Journey.
Hackathons and competitions
Black Girls Code hackathons
Community oriented "girls only" hackathons for girls between the ages of 12 and 17. Students participate in creating solutions to social issues within their communities while they build their skills, confidence, experience and have lots of fun!
Check event calendar for dates.
Congressional App Challenge
Middle and high school students create and submit original apps to their Members of Congress. Challenges are specific to congressional districts. Winning teams are recognized nationally and winning apps are put on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year.
Applications due by November 1st, winners announced in December.
Coolest Projects
Coolest Projects online is the world’s leading technology showcase for young people. Whether your project is a work in progress, a prototype, or completely finished, you can join in! Entry is free, and open to anyone up to the age of 18.
Registration ends in early May.
Microsoft’s Imagine Cup Jr.
This global AI for Good challenge introduces students to Microsoft’s AI for Good initiatives, empowering them to solve a problem in the world with the power of AI.
Submission deadline is mid-to-late May.
NASA App Development Challenge
The NASA App Development Challenge (ADC) is a coding challenge in which NASA presents technical problems to middle and high school students seeking student contributions to future deep space exploration missions. By responding to the ADC, students take a part directly in the Artemis Generation endeavors to land American astronauts, including the first woman and first person of color on the Moon.
Team registration closes September 28th.
Technovation Challenge
With the support of volunteer mentors, girls work in teams to code mobile apps that address real-world problems. Open to girls and young women ages 10-18.
Register between October and March. Winners announced in late June or early July.
Clubs and afterschool
CoderDojo
A global network of free, volunteer-led, community-based programming clubs for young people. Anyone aged 7-17 can visit a Dojo where they can learn to code, build a website, create an app or a game, and explore technology in an informal, creative, and social environment.
Join anytime.
Girls Who Code
Clubs are free after-school programs for 3rd-5th and 6th-12th grade girls to join our sisterhood of supportive peers and role models using computer science to change the world. There are Clubs in all 50 states and applications are open year-round! Start a Club by visiting girlswhocode.com/clubsapply or find one to join in your local area at girlswhocode.com/locations
Join anytime.
Google Code Next
Code Next is a free, computer science education program that meets Black and Hispanic/Latino high school students in their own communities and provides the skills and inspiration they need for long and rewarding careers in computer science-related fields. Learn computer science, plug in with a mentor, and work on impactful projects.
Clubs run quarterly and last approximately 9 weeks.
Techgirlz Workshops
TechShopz are free, hands-on technology workshops for middle school girls. There are 50 topics to choose including coding, movie editing, jewelry design, digital marketing, cybersecurity, and more!
View calendar for workshop dates.
Camps and immersion programs
Digigirlz at Microsoft
Middle and high school girls learn about careers in technology, connect with Microsoft employees, and participate in hands-on computer and technology workshops.
Check calendar for dates.
Girls Who Code Summer Immersion
Girls Who Code's Summer Immersion Program is a 2-week opportunity available to rising sophomore, junior, and seniors. Participants learn the computer science skills they need to make an impact in their community while preparing for a career in tech. They will get exposure to tech jobs, meet women in tech careers, and join a supportive sisterhood of girls in tech. No prior computer science experience is required.
Applications are open in the spring.
Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute
At CSSI: Online, students will learn programming fundamentals directly from Google engineers, get an inside look at some of Google's most exciting technologies, and even design and develop their very own application with fellow participants that will be showcased to Googlers. Open to rising college freshmen.
Applications are open in the spring.
Hack the Hood
Learn in-demand tech skills and launch your career with Hack the Hood’s immersion programs. For Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Indigenous learners aged 16-25.
Program dates vary. Applications are open April-June.
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