Astra Softwares Partners with Code.org to Bring Computer Science Skills to the Next Generation
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Astra Softwares Partners with Code.org to Bring Computer Science Skills to the Next Generation
By Ismael Bett on 2025-06-05
Empowering Young Minds
At Astra Softwares, our mission is simple but powerful: transforming the digital world. Today, we’re excited to share a major milestone in that mission — a meaningful partnership with Code.org aimed at empowering even younger learners with the tools and skills of computer science through our Portfolio Ready initiative.
🌍 Why This Matters
We live in a digital age where technology literacy is no longer optional — it’s essential. But access to quality coding and digital skills education is still unequal, especially for children in under-resourced communities. That’s why our collaboration with Code.org, a global nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science, is so important.
By combining their world-class curriculum with our hands-on Portfolio Ready program, we’re bridging that gap — one child, one skill, and one portfolio at a time.
💡 What is the Portfolio Ready Initiative?
Portfolio Ready is Astra Softwares' flagship learning platform designed to equip students — from beginners to advanced developers — with job-ready programming skills. But we didn’t stop at college students and aspiring professionals. We’ve extended Portfolio Ready to serve younger age groups, making it more visual, interactive, and gamified to align with the cognitive needs of children.
Our early learner curriculum includes:
- Block-based programming (using Scratch-style visual coding)
- HTML, CSS, and JavaScript fundamentals
- Logic and problem-solving challenges
- Creative projects like animations, simple games, and mini websites
- Integration with AI tutors to assist in real-time learning
We’re making sure that children don’t just play with tech — they learn to build it.
🤝 How the Code.org Partnership Enhances Our Impact
Thanks to our verified teacher status with Code.org, we now integrate their proven curriculum modules into our learning experience. This includes:
- CS Fundamentals: Tailored for students from Grades 1–5
- CS Discoveries: Aimed at middle schoolers ready to go beyond block-based coding
- CS Principles: Introduces advanced learners to algorithms, data, and real-world applications
We're using Code.org's interactive content while embedding our local mentorship, project-based learning, and AI-driven support system to help kids build a real portfolio by the time they complete the course.
🚀 Real Projects, Real Confidence
Every child enrolled in the program doesn’t just learn — they create. We encourage them to build their first:
- Personal website
- Interactive quiz
- Digital business card
- Simple mobile app
- Online game
And the best part? These projects go into their very own online portfolio, boosting confidence and preparing them for future academic or professional opportunities — even at a young age.
📚 Accessibility and Local Impact
We’ve already started rolling this out in Kenyan primary schools, community tech hubs, and through online learning environments. Our goal is to ensure:
- Affordability (free and low-cost versions available)
- Inclusivity (open to both urban and rural children)
- Mentorship (through our network of local developers and teachers)
We’re also translating materials into Swahili and other local languages to ensure no child is left behind.
💬 A Word from Ishmael Bett, Founder of Astra Softwares
"We believe that the next tech giant may be sitting in a classroom in a rural Kenyan village — they just need the right tools and a little inspiration. Through this partnership with Code.org, we’re not just teaching code — we’re changing lives."
🧠 What's Next?
We are currently onboarding volunteers, developers, teachers, and school administrators who want to bring this initiative to their communities.
📢 Are you a parent, teacher, or community leader?
Join us in building Africa's future tech talent, starting today.
👉contact us through [email protected].