Karlie Kloss Is On A Mission To Get More Girls Into Tech
Supermodel Karlie Kloss has launched a summer school to teach young girls to code [Photo: Rex Features]
Ask any female millennial how to text, whatsapp, snapchat, tweet…, pah not a problem. But actually building apps rather than using them, er? A recent study by Google’s Made With Code initiative found less than 1% of girls will study Computer Science, proving that when it comes to technology there’s a very real gender imbalance. Well, step forward supermodel, Karlie Kloss, who’s getting on her high heels to do something about that.
Two years ago the Victoria’s Secret Model and BFF of Taylor Swift signed up for a two-week programming course at NYC’s Flatiron School. She loved it so much that she continued with her coding education and even teamed up with the school last year to launch Kode with Karlie, a scholarship program that allowed 21 girls to take the same two-week coding course she did. After the scholarship’s success, Karlie and the Flatiron School have decided to up the ante this year by creating an entire summer camp.
Karlie wants to challenge the gender imbalance in technology [Photos: Code with Klossy]
The programme will provide nearly 80 free scholarships for young women and girls in New York, Los Angeles and her hometown St Louis to attend a two week scheme teaching girls to build real apps with code.
“Since taking my first coding class two years ago, I’ve learned how creative and versatile coding is,“ Kloss explained to Mashable. "I decided to launch Kode With Klossy to help expand access to computer science courses and teach young women how to harness and apply the power of code to their personal passions.”
The supermodel learnt to code two years ago and is now making it her mission to help more women also learn the skill [Photo: Instagram/Karliekloss]
Explaining to Motto that her reasons for setting up the initiative included trying to breakdown gender inequalities in the tech industry, she said:
“While there are endless creative applications of code, there are also many barriers to accessing computer-science education.
"Too few girls are encouraged to embrace their inner nerd and pursue math, science and programming. Women are underrepresented in computer-science classes, college majors and jobs.”
She went on to note that while women now make up over half of undergraduate college students, only 12% of computer-science degrees are awarded to women.
The news comes as Karlie is revealed as the new face of Mango’s Metallic Collection. With its strong 90s vibe in liquid metal colours, the exciting new range includes jeans, tops and leathers that will give a retro, yet futuristic burst to your summer wardrobe.
Back to the day job! Karlie has been announced as the face of Mango’s new metallics range [Photos: Instagram/Mango]
Adding headmistress to a CV that already includes model, baker, charity worker and squadleader, we can only imagine what’s next for the talented multi-tasker. President maybe?
What do you think of Karlie’s new initiative? Let us know @YahooStyleUK
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