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HP employees support Hour of Code

By Sarah Murry, Newsroom Managing Editor, HP Inc. — December 13, 2016

Some 75 years ago, when Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard launched a future Silicon Valley icon from a Palo Alto garage, they used workbench tools that allowed them to tinker with electrical engineering.

Today, the tools of the trade for a would-be tech entrepreneur are different. They need a foundation in computer programming and computer science to innovate in a 21st Century world.

Yet, qualified teachers of computer science and other STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects are in short supply. In fact, fewer schools teach computer science today than 10 years ago, according to data compiled by Code.org.

At HP, there’s a global effort to change this – one student at a time.

HP has partnered again this year with Code.org to sponsor Hour of Code, a learning event that aims to deliver computer science education to students worldwide, with a focus on girls and underrepresented groups.

“Reversing the under-representation of women and minorities in technology is a priority for HP,” said Lesley Slaton Brown, HP’s Chief Diversity Officer. “Giving students access to computer science education and getting them excited about potential careers in STEM fields is critical to fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.”

For many students, the path to STEM proficiency could start with exposure to computer science basics. That’s the main idea behind an Hour of Code session, which aims to demystify computer programming and build students’ confidence. HP volunteers helped run classroom sessions built around an Hour of Code tutorial, where students can learn to use programming languages to manipulate a game, create a picture, complete an interactive music project, or learn to animate their name on screen.

More than 1,000 HP volunteers from offices around the globe participated in Hour of Code – one of the largest learning events in history – by lending their skills, time and support to teachers and students in the neighborhood schools where they live and work.

“All of the children I supported learned something new about how to make simple code instructions in a really fun setting.” said HP volunteer Zoe McMahon, Director, Compliance Intake & Programs, Ethics and Compliance Office.

HP counts participating Hour of Code events at 16 sites around the globe, from San Diego to Singapore to South Africa.

The HP site in Boise, Idaho, had 120 volunteers reach some 3,000 students over the course of 66 sessions at local schools.

“The students LOVED it, they didn’t want to stop,”

HP volunteer Antonina Robles, Customer Experience Program Manager, Office Printing Solutions Quality.

Globally, HP’s efforts reached some 15,000 students last year and is expanding the program this year. The hope is that these students will be intrigued by the technology and motivated by the idea that they have the potential to develop a future technology that we cannot yet even imagine.

“The best part about volunteering is seeing each child smile and feel satisfied as they successfully completed a part of their lesson,” said HP volunteer Anju Sharma, Social Media Capabilities Manager.