Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates have given their backing to a new educational initiative aimed at helping children learn to code.
The initiative, called Code.org, has enlisted the two alongside other prominent names in technology. It is looking to introduce more than 10 million students to computing programming in a bid to arrest the STEM skill shortage.
The organisation has received the backing of not only Gates and Zuckerberg but also firms such as Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Google.
Part of the project, dubbed "Hour of Code", will provide students with an hour's introduction to computer programming.
Students can take hour-long tutorials that can be completed on computers and smart devices whether they are on- or offline. The tutorials have been created in collaboration with engineers from Microsoft, Google, Twitter and Facebook.
The tutorials also sport games that teach basic principles of coding and will also feature guest lectures by Gates and Zuckerberg.
Code.org chief executive and co-founder Hadi Partovi said the worldwide campaign was the first step in making computing an essential field of education.
"This isn't just about the tremendous job opportunities in software - every 21st-century child can benefit from learning this foundational field," said Partovi.
Teachers and others in education that host an Hour of Code for their classroom or club will receive 10GB of free storage from Dropbox. Students that take a follow-up course online will have a chance to win additional prizes, including Skype credits and online gift cards.
Schools also have the opportunity to win a group videoconference with Gates, Dorsey, or Susan Wojcicki, Google's senior vice president of advertising and commerce.
The project coincides with Computer Science Education Week, which coincides with the birthday of US computing pioneer Admiral Grace Hopper on 9 December.
-
Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI launch brace of new channel initiativesNews Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI have announced the launch of two new channel growth initiatives focused on the managed security service provider (MSSP) space and AWS Marketplace.
-
Third time lucky? Microsoft finally begins roll-out of controversial Recall featureNews The Windows Recall feature has been plagued by setbacks and backlash from security professionals
-
Meta to pay $725 million in Cambridge Analytica lawsuit settlementNews The settlement closes the long-running lawsuit into how Facebook's owner, Meta, handled the Cambridge Analytica scandal
-
Meta's earnings are 'cause for concern' and 2023 looks even bleakerAnalysis Calls for investor faith in metaverse tech only emphasise the worries that its investment strategy won't pay off
-
Microsoft and Meta announce integration deal between Teams and WorkplaceNews Features from both business collaboration platforms will be available to users without having to switch apps
-
Facebook is shutting down its controversial facial recognition systemNews The move will see more than a billion facial templates removed from Facebook's records amid a push for more private applications of the technology
-
'Changing name to Meat': Industry reacts to Facebook's Meta rebrandNews The rebrand attempts to provide a clearer distinction between Facebook and its umbrella company
-
Facebook's Oversight Board demands more transparencyNews Board bashed the social media giant for its preferential treatment of certain high-profile accounts
-
Facebook claims AI managed to reduce hate speech by 50%News The social media platform has hit back at claims the tech it uses to fight hate speech is inadequate
-
Facebook to hire 10,000 workers across the EUNews The high-skilled jobs drive is a “vote of confidence” in the European tech industry
