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Code Savvy is a Minnesota non-profit organization helping kids and educators become more “code savvy” through creative educational programs and services.
We incubate and support community-based programs that bring technology and know-how to local youth and educators, all the while championing gender and ethnic diversity. Code Savvy is dedicated to ensuring the next generation of computer science professionals is representative of the billions of users of tomorrow’s innovative technologies.
Code Savvy is a central resource for local advocates and champions for the advancement of youth computer science. Through its connections and vision, it activates programs and services that give real-world coding experience to kids who represent backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in computer science.
Our Mission
Interrupt and counteract existing gender, racial, and socioeconomic gaps in computing by equipping youth and educators with the knowledge, skills, and support to create with technology.
Our Vision
Inspire equitable computer science learning to transform the future for good.
Why We Do It
Code Savvy believes the next generation of computer science professionals are already in our communities and need hands-on experiences and a little inspiration to gain the code-savvy necessary to achieve greatness. By creating accessible programs and services in local neighborhoods and schools, our future tech champions will be able to take the next steps toward a fruitful career in the world’s fastest-growing industry.
Code Savvy believes that by focusing its efforts on expanding ethnic and gender equality, we can make a multi-billion dollar industry truly transformative.
Our Core Values
Inclusivity
We maintain a focus on inclusive practices that interrupt and counteract gender, racial, and economic bias and create a welcoming environment for all learners.
Diversity
We believe in the importance of students and educators coming together with a variety of backgrounds because tomorrow’s tech professionals need to be reflective of all our communities.
Community
We nurture networks of learners to create a supportive community for change.
Empowerment
We believe the next generation of computer science professionals is already in all of our communities. When provided with the resources and mentorship unavailable in a traditional school setting, they’ll be empowered to transform the world.
Curiosity
We encourage students and educators alike to pursue the answers to “Why?” “How?” and “What if…?” Sometimes the smallest questions can lead to big ideas.
Creativity
We believe there is more than one way to approach a problem, and that the most impactful ideas are the ones that stand apart from the crowd.
History
Code Savvy was founded by Rebecca Schatz, a serial entrepreneur in the not-for-profit space. In addition to Code Savvy, she founded The Works hands-on museum of engineering and was the catalyst behind Technovation[MN]. She passed away in 2015.
Rebecca touched so many people during her vibrant, innovative, and inspiring life. She left a sustainable and lasting legacy to encourage kids and teens to explore their curiosity, learn coding and creative problem solving, and for the volunteers, family members, and mentors who make it happen.
Rebecca built systems and organizations, and more importantly, she engaged others to participate in the process. She knew that change is the work of many and she inspired everyone to stretch, grow, and develop themselves. Her outreach was inherently about inclusion – helping kids see new models and pathways to pursue their own passions, dreams, and careers in new and accessible ways. Rebecca brought passion and a focused commitment to inspire our youth to explore and discover engineering, science, and coding in hands-on environments.
In early July 2015, Code Savvy appointed Jean Weiss the Executive Director of Code Savvy to carry forward Rebecca’s vision to inspire a diverse new code-savvy generation.
Jean served as the Executive Director as a volunteer until October of 2021 when she transitioned onto the Board of Directors, and Valerie Lockhart was brought on as the first paid Executive Director of Code Savvy, a marked milestone for the progression of the organization's growth!