COPA Coders is a group that runs multiple STEM/STEAM programs in Maricopa, AZ, USA. Our initial focus was to start a local programming club for youth. We found CoderDojo already ran with a similar vision, so we decided to join them and started our own charter.
We also volunteer as resources to local school-operated Code Clubs, offering curriculum and larger community service and competition opportunities.
Learn more: CoderDojo & Code Club
Who We Are
We are technology professionals who share our enthusiasm for all things “techie” with everyone in our community, especially youth.
What We Do
Our goal is to help youth (called Ninjas 🥷) become self-sufficient, life-long learners and foster community-minded service.
When We Meet
We meet weekly as a community (called a Dojo) as well as in individual on-campus clubs in schools around Maricopa (called Code Clubs).
Where We Meet
As a Dojo, we are sponsored and hosted by the City of Maricopa Public Library.
As Code Clubs, schools determine the best place for after school activities, usually on their campus.
As Ninjas, we encourage at-home learning and spending screen time actively learning instead of spectating.
Why We Do It
While technology has produced amazing advances in several fields (and started whole new ones), excessive technology consumption is eroding our youth’s ambition, socialization and critical thinking skills.
We aim to excite and enrich Maricopa’s youth and partner with our amazing community’s already diverse and talented education
How We Work
Each week, we facilitate a Dojo event where Ninjas can get our help with their technology projects from someone with real-world experience on how to make it work.
We also help train and operate school-specific after school clubs where middle school students are guided through a specific curriculum to learn how to code.
Lastly, we share resources with parents, educators and other partners on how to encourage students to become technology producers instead of solely technology consumers.