A Parent’s Guide to Helping Kids Succeed in Computer Science

Written By Mikeal Vaughn

As the digital economy expands, opportunities in computer science (CS) continue to grow. For Black, Latino, and Indigenous families, ensuring that students develop technology skills is key to unlocking future career paths, economic empowerment, and leadership in Tulsa’s emerging tech ecosystem. Parents and families play a critical role in shaping students' interests and success in CS. Here are concrete steps parents and caregivers can take to encourage and support their children in pursuing computer science education.

1. Normalize Technology in Everyday Life

  • Introduce children to technology at an early age through interactive learning tools such as coding apps, robotics kits, and educational games.

  • Encourage problem-solving and logical thinking by incorporating technology-based activities into daily life, such as setting up smart home devices together or using programming languages designed for beginners, like Scratch.

  • Reinforce the idea that technology is a tool for creation, not just consumption. Encourage children to build apps, design games, or automate simple household tasks.

2. Find Local Computer Science Programs and Resources

  • Enroll students in Urban Coders Guild, which provides hands-on coding education tailored for Black, Latino, and Indigenous youth in Tulsa.

  • Explore local libraries, schools, and community centers that offer free or low-cost STEM workshops and coding classes.

  • Connect with Tulsa-based initiatives such as Black Tech Street, Tulsa Innovation Labs, inTulsa, and Atlas School, which offer mentorship, tech training, and exposure to industry professionals.

  • Participate in Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance (TRSA) programs, which provide STEM education opportunities, teacher training, and student competitions to enhance CS learning.

3. Advocate for Computer Science Education in Schools

  • Request that local schools expand computer science course offerings and ensure access to technology for all students.

  • Attend school board meetings and ask about policies supporting STEM and CS education.

  • Partner with other parents to form advocacy groups pushing for stronger STEM funding, after-school coding clubs, and mentorship opportunities.

4. Encourage Participation in Coding Competitions and Hackathons

  • Engage students in coding competitions such as FIRST Robotics, Google’s Code-In, or NASA’s App Development Challenge to spark excitement and real-world application of skills.

  • Support participation in Urban Coders Guild’s hackathons, which provide exposure to collaborative problem-solving and networking with tech professionals.

  • Celebrate achievements, whether big or small, to keep students motivated and confident in their abilities.

5. Connect Students with Mentors and Role Models

  • Find industry professionals who share a similar background or career interests to mentor students. Programs such as Urban Coders Guild, Black Tech Street, and inTulsa offer networking and mentorship opportunities.

  • Encourage students to attend tech career fairs, workshops, and networking events to meet professionals in the field.

  • Expose students to success stories of Black, Latino, and Indigenous tech pioneers, such as Emmitt McHenry, who helped develop the .com domain.

6. Integrate Computer Science with Students’ Interests

  • Show how technology connects to students' passions. If they enjoy art, introduce them to graphic design and animation software. If they like music, encourage them to explore sound engineering and coding music applications.

  • Highlight tech careers beyond software development, such as cybersecurity, game design, data science, and artificial intelligence.

  • Encourage self-directed learning through platforms like Khan Academy, Codecademy, and MIT OpenCourseWare to explore various CS topics.

7. Support College and Career Pathways in Technology

  • Research scholarships, internships, and apprenticeships that make CS education more accessible.

  • Connect with organizations such as Google’s Code Next, Microsoft TEALS, and Tulsa Innovation Labs for career pathway programs.

  • Help students build strong resumes by encouraging them to document their coding projects and create professional LinkedIn profiles.

8. Encourage Participation in Other STEM Activities

  • Expose students to hands-on experiences in fields adjacent to computer science, such as robotics, engineering, and environmental science.

  • Encourage participation in science fairs, math competitions, and engineering design challenges that reinforce problem-solving and technical skills.

  • Introduce students to emerging fields like space exploration, biotech, and sustainable engineering, which increasingly rely on computer science and technology.

  • Explore Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance (TRSA) programs, which offer summer STEM camps, mentorship programs, and STEM-related field trips to give students hands-on exposure.

9. Create a Home Environment That Supports Learning

  • Designate a quiet space for coding, studying, and exploring technology.

  • Set time aside for collaborative tech-related activities, like learning a programming language together or working on a family STEM project.

  • Provide access to technology, such as a computer or tablet, and explore options for financial assistance if needed through school programs or community initiatives.

10. Shift the Mindset Around Computer Science

  • Reinforce that technology careers are for everyone, regardless of background, and challenge stereotypes about who belongs in tech.

  • Address any fears or reluctance by sharing inspiring stories of people from similar communities succeeding in tech fields.

  • Promote a growth mindset by emphasizing that learning to code is like learning a new language—it takes practice, but anyone can do it with persistence.

11. Encourage Hands-On Projects and Experimentation

  • Motivate students to apply their skills by creating websites, apps, or small tech solutions for their community.

  • Introduce hardware-based projects like Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or robotics kits to explore the intersection of coding and engineering.

  • Encourage students to participate in summer tech camps and maker fairs to deepen their interest and skills.

Conclusion

Parents and families are vital in shaping the next generation of computer scientists and technology leaders. By providing encouragement, access to resources, and advocacy, families can help their children confidently step into a world of opportunity in computer science. The future of Tulsa’s Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities is intertwined with the growth of the digital economy, and the time to act is now.

Sources

  • “Five Advantages of Earning a Computer Science Degree,” Concordia University Texas. (concordia.edu)

  • “Five Ways to Make Computer Science More Racially Diverse,” The National Interest. (nationalinterest.org)

  • “Transforming Trajectories for Women of Color in Tech,” National Academies Press. (nap.nationalacademies.org)

  • “The Research Behind ECS,” Exploring Computer Science. (exploringcs.org)

  • “Diversity in Computing,” Wikipedia. (en.wikipedia.org)

Mikeal Vaughn

Urban Coders Guild exists to provide computer science education access and opportunities to youth from historically underserved, underrepresented and otherwise under-resourced communities.

https://www.urbancodersguild.org
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Empowering Our Future: Encouraging Computer Science Education Among Black, Latino and Indigenous Youth in Tulsa