Changing the game with Girls Who Code

At EA, we play for a better tomorrow. That’s why we harness the power of creativity in and beyond our games to drive positive impact, investing in communities to expand access and opportunity where we live, work, and play. In collaboration with our partners, we’re building play-based experiences that bridge opportunity gaps in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) education and empower more learners to unlock their potential.

Art, finance, medicine, business. STEAM skills are applicable across any field of work. They also foster and grow personal skills by encouraging teamwork, logical thinking, creative problem-solving, and more. 

This is why EA is investing in breaking down barriers to our industry and inspiring students to explore STEAM careers, readying them for the dynamic workforce of the future.

And one of those key partners we are proud to work with is Girls Who Code (GWC).

“Girls Who Code and EA have given me the opportunity to pursue my dream.”

A 10-year partnership

GWC is on a mission to close the gender gap in tech by empowering students with technical skills, a supportive community and access to careers in the industry. Central to their theory of change is developing students' confidence and equipping them with social capital so they can pursue meaningful careers and solve problems in their community with technology. GWC has taught their students that when they learn to code, they can not only make the change they want to see in the world, but by choosing a career in tech, they can change their lives too. And GWC has served 670,000 girls, women, and nonbinary individuals around the world are on track to close the gender gap in new entry-level tech jobs by 2030.

“Girls Who Code is a leader in teaching students how to code and so much more—it's about turning them from consumers of technology into creators, innovators, and problem-solvers. By equipping young people with next-gen skills and experiences, we’re empowering them to shape the future of technology and entertainment,” says Jaimie Vargas, Head of Global Social Impact at EA. “It’s about creating pathways where every student has the chance to lead. And the work of Girls Who Code aligns perfectly with our values and commitments in STEAM education.”

This is why EA has invested in the GWC Clubs Program to make learning to code fun and the Summer Immersion Program to level-up students’ coding skills and enable them to solve real-world problems.

Girls Who Code Clubs are free computer science programs for 3rd-12th graders of any skill level. Volunteer Facilitators can host Clubs across settings like schools, libraries, and community centers.

Beyond teaching coding skills, Clubs support social-emotional development and confidence building through an emphasis on community and spotlighting diverse tech innovators.

EA supported 121 clubs this year, reaching 1,452 students.. And the mid-to-long-term outcomes are very encouraging:

• Girls Who Code alumni are earning computer science and related degrees at 7x the national US average.
• Alumni from races/ethnicities underrepresented in tech are earning computer science and related degrees at 9x the national US average.
• There are 218,000 alumni who are college-aged or post-college grad, 4.7x the number of women graduating with CS-related degrees in the US.
• Summer Immersion Program students are significantly more likely to major in a CS-related field than those who did not participate.

For the last 10 years, we’ve hosted a cohort of students in the GWC Summer Immersion Program focused on game design, where students learn UX design, rapid prototyping, and computer science skills and get to explore tech careers with guidance from EA leaders and game dev teams with The Sims. At the end of the program, over 90% left with a stronger interest in computer science careers and the games industry.

This Summer Immersion Program plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of tech education and fostering gender diversity within the industry. These programs address diverse learning styles, build a supportive community, and emphasize inclusivity. These initiatives not only enhance academic performance but also empower students to excel in technology.

Through this experience, participants not only gain technical expertise and learn to code through game design but also join the GWC sisterhood and build their professional network. We are thrilled to see some GWC alumni at EA, creating stories, immersive worlds, and characters that our players and fans love to play.

“Together, we’ve transformed dreams into achievements and created opportunities that inspire thousands to pursue their passions in computer science, gaming and beyond. This collaboration with EA not only fuels individual growth but also paves the way for a more inclusive future in STEAM fields.” - Dr. Tarika Barrett, CEO, Girls Who Code

Bridging the gap to industry

Tyra Foster is a GWC alum and former Summer Immersion Program participant.

For the past two summers, Tyra has worked at EA in between her time as a student at the University of Houston where she studies Digital Media. This is her last year, and just before heading off to college as a senior, Tyra received an offer–after she graduates, she will have a full-time job at EA.

“Now being immersed with EA, and having played their games as a young teenager, it has been very cool,” says Tyra. “Being able to realize it's something I could build a career out of, and combine both my passion and hobby. It’s been a huge lightbulb moment for me. I can’t wait to come back. Girls Who Code and EA have given me the opportunity to pursue my dream.”

EA Impact in STEAM Education series

This is the first chapter of our EA Impact in STEAM Education series, where we delve into the remarkable ways in which we are amplifying, empowering, and further collaborating with partners around the globe to bring the power of play to learning. 
 

Learn more about our worldwide impact in our 2024 Impact Report.