Arizona hosting first state-wide coding event this weekend, girls go free

Companies in Arizona are teaming up to help encourage young people to explore careers in games development and other digital fields with a weekend-long coding event.

Code Day Arizona will be hosted at the state’s University of Advancing Technology, presented by Startup AZ Foundation and run in collaboration with State Farm, Go Daddy, Student RND and Valley Leadership.

The event will bring in students from ages nine to 20 from across the state of Arizona to take part in a 24-hour hackathon, all the while providing more information on the career opportunities in coding, IT and more.

Code Day Arizona kicks off at noon on Saturday, February 13th and finishes at noon the following day. In an effort to encourage more female coders to take part, girls can attend for free by using the promo code ‘GIRLSCODE’. 

You can find out more at www.codeday.org/arizona.

“We are thrilled to host the largest state-wide code day ever,” said the university’s Dr. David Bolman. “I can’t wait to see what these young students, who come together from all points of Arizona, create while being immersed in tech for 24 hours on our campus. 

“As we look at workforce development in Arizona, it is beyond clear that to be truly competitive nationally in filling the vast need for STEM positions; we must invest early in our young talent. Code Day Arizona is a critical, exciting and must-do initiative that lights up young people towards a future that we are absolutely counting on."