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Rep. Cuellar Announces $260,000 for San Antonio Summer Camp Code for Girls

Funds will go towards St. Mary’s University, University of Incarnate Word, and University of Texas San Antonio Coding Camps

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $260,000 in federal funds for three San Antonio Universities through the Texas Workforce Commissions Camp Code grant. With these funds, St. Mary’s University, University of Incarnate Word and the University of Texas San Antonio will host a summer coding camp for middle school girls. The goal of these camps is to increase the interest of middle school girls in coding and computer science. With the allocation of federal funds, students in San Antonio will experience firsthand the impact of coding and programming to everyday life while fostering interest in science, technology, engineering and math related careers.

St. Mary's University

St. Mary’s University receive $58,052 to fund 168 scholarships for various coding courses including Spiders & Snakes: Web and Python camp, Viruses & Worms: Cybersecurity camp, Fun & Games: Game Development camp and Legos & Robots: Robotics camp. Students will learn the four phases of software development (analyze, design, code, and test).

University of Texas - San Antonio

The University of Texas San Antonio received $99,997 to fund 150 scholarships for Girl Coderunner Camp. The camp will focus on the three modules that will introduces girls to different areas of computing. These include a module on webpage design using open-source HTML programs, a module on creating animation and games using open source C compiler, and a third module on physical computing using LEGO Mindstorms and programming using LabVIEW. At the end of UTSA’s program students will build a website to show their creations.

University of the Incarnate Word

The University of the Incarnate Word received $99,688 to fund 104 scholarships for miniGEMS STEAM and Programming Camp. This camp is focused on coding and programming curriculum including and an introduction to Scratch Programming, Python Scripting, and MATLAB Scripting. In addition, the program will utilize the Lego Mindstorm EV3 Robot to emphasize the relationship between coding/programming and engineering projects.

“With rapid technological advancements, the United States requires a thriving, high-skilled, 21st-century workforce ready for a competitive global market,” said Congressman Cuellar. “The San Antonio Summer Camp Code for Girls will encourage girls to learn how to code and grow their interest in STEM studies. By investing in our girls, we are investing in a future generation of STEM leaders and active members of the Texas STEM economy. I’d like to thank the Texas Workforce Commission for creating this initiative with federal funds.  I look forward to seeing the creativity of our students in the 28th Congressional District of Texas.”