Geeking Out Kids of Color (GOKiC) inspires kids to tap into their curiosity, unleash their creativity, and build their confidence through innovative and hands-on computer science, programming, and robotics projects.
Founded in 2016 by a diverse group of friends and software developers, GOKiC has worked with more than 170 youth in South King County, many of them through an out of school-time partnership with King County Best Starts for Kids and School’s Out Washington.
Transcending the Digital Learning Gap
The young people of GOKiC learn computer science through a multicultural perspective. One child built his first Artificial Intelligence (AI) model, using an evolutionary genetic algorithm he learned during GOKiC lessons about the Black Panther Party. Other students learned computational thinking, logic, coding and algorithms by doing the Kiki dance challenge, using La Chona by Los Tucanes De Tijuana for their song.
“We geek out about our teaching and volunteer staff, as the majority of us look like the students we teach, allowing for easier connection to each other and to what we teach.”
GOKiC
“GOKiC empowers kids of color with an education in computer science, programming, and robotics, helping unlock their creativity through technology. We are committed to racial and gender equity. Our programs are at the forefront of multicultural CS education, enabling our kids to create new technology that only they can create.”
https://www.gokic.org/
After school enrichment programs at GOKiC
- Summer school programs
- WoC in Tech (*Woke in Tech)
- Coding fundamentals
- Full-stack web development
- Video game development
- AI Model Building
- Robotics
- Data Science
- Applied AI and machine learning
- SELYPQA in STEM
Geeking Out Kids of Color is one of 26 organizations receiving funding through Best Starts for Kids Quality Out-of-School Time program in 2018-2021. This new funding has enabled GOKiC to hire staff and to purchase additional computers and robotics equipment. GOKiC is part of a place-based partnership serving young people in White Center, Burien, and SeaTac. Learn more at School’s Out Washington.
