Computers are everywhere, changing every industry on the planet, but fewer than half of all schools teach computer science. Girls and minorities in particular are severely underrepresented in computer science classes and in the tech industry.
 
The Hour of Code hopes to change this. In December 2014, President Barack Obama kicked off this national campaign by becoming the first president to write a line of code. Since then, more than 100 partners nationwide have joined together to support this movement.
 
This year, 30 students at A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School are joining with the Clubhou.se on the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code, during Computer Science Education Week (December 5-11). The Augusta event takes place on Wednesday, December 7 at the Clubhou.se, 540 Telfair St., with students rotating in groups of 10 for one-hour sessions from 9 to 10 a.m., 10 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon.
 
“Hour of Code events happen around the world and around the country to reinforce the great opportunities that computer science activities can provide for students. We're looking forward to expanding our programs here in Augusta at the Clubhou.se to include more of these types of events year around,” said Grace Belangia, executive director of Hack Augusta, the non-profit that manages the Clubhou.se.
 
Tech consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton and intelligence analysis company Intelligenesis are partnering with the Clubhou.se and A.R. Johnson on this event. "As technology has changed so many aspects of our daily lives, it has made programming the literacy of the next generation,” said Curtis Lambert, lead technologist at Booz Allen Hamilton. “Ensuring children have easy access both to technology and mentors to help guide them is essential to their future success. We have been lucky here in Augusta to have support from local organizations and companies including Booz Allen Hamilton, IntelliGenesis and the Clubhou.se who recognize this fact. Their efforts to ensure the success of STEM events like these can help shape our community into a technology hub and guarantee better opportunities for local youth."

“Booz Allen Hamilton prides itself of its support to the community, especially here in Augusta,” added lead technologist Jess Grider. “I currently lead our community relationships team for BAH in the CSRA and we have ensured a focus on STEM efforts, such as the support we have presented to the Clubhou.se in recent years. It is our honor and intention to allow the local community to explore amazing and fun STEM activities, which includes the ability to make physical items through the power of coding."
 
“The students are A.R. Johnson are super excited to be invited to the Hour of Code,” said teacher Judy Ward. “This is an extremely worthwhile endeavor for our students to become better problem solvers and develop analytical reasoning skills as they learn the importance of coding and are able to apply what they learn. An opportunity such as this not only benefits our students by piquing their interest in the coolness of STEM, but it also has the practicality of enhancing skills that increase their college and career readiness for a technology-driven global economy.”