ARTex Society Coordinates with the British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development: Expanding Access to Coding Education

ARTex Lessons at the Coquitlam Public Library

In today’s advancing technological landscape, programming skills are becoming increasingly crucial. However, the opportunity to learn these essentials is not always accessible to all students. Recognizing this barrier, ARTex was approached by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development, who were eager to inquire about any upcoming courses we were running. Through an online meeting, ARTex’s founders discussed how we could run classes where youth of any demographic and background could participate.  

We decided to run a summer break camp in the Tri-Cities area, at Coquitlam Public Library, ensuring that students around the region had a welcoming space to learn coding. The workshop took place on August 10th and focused on Python programming, a beginner-friendly language with applications ranging from web development to AI. We had 14 students attend, each bringing curiosity and excitement to the class, regardless of prior skill level.

To support these students further, ARTex Society provided laptops to those who needed them, ensuring every student had the tools to succeed. This initiative aligned with our goal to bridge the technology gap that often prevents youth from accessing these learning opportunities.

We are excited about the potential of this collaboration with the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development. This partnership goes beyond teaching technical skills—it emphasizes inclusivity and the importance of creating equitable access to education, ensuring that every student, no matter their background, can explore their passion for programming.