Canada Learning Code
Teach coding to others in your community
Why It Matters
Teaching tech skills to others - especially to underrepresented groups - is a powerful combination of tech, leadership, and community service.
How to Start
Note: Canada Learning Code closed its local volunteer chapters in 2024 and merged with the non-profit Ampere (formerly Pinnguaq) in 2025, so chapter-leader roles no longer exist. Check its site for current national programs, or run your own beginner workshops at your school or public library teaching HTML, Python, or app basics.
Commitment
- Medium commitment: a few hours most weeks during the school year.
- Best starting grade: G9
- G9 or G10 - you'll have enough coding knowledge to teach beginner workshops effectively.
Programs It Supports
- Computer Science
- Education
- Social Work
- Engineering
Majors it supports
- Computer Science – high 80s to high 90s depending on school
- Education (BEd) – high 70s to high 80s
- Social Work (BSW) – high 70s to high 80s
Similar extracurriculars
- Canadian Computing Competition (CCC) – Waterloo's premier programming contest
- Hackathon Participation – Build real projects under pressure in 24-48 hours
- Coding / Computer Science Club – Learn and build together after school
- Build a Real Website or App – Create something people actually use
- Game Development Club – Design and ship video games as a team
- University Youth Tech Programs – University-run summer tech programs for high schoolers
- School IT Help Desk / Tech Squad – Assist teachers and students with tech issues
- Hackathon Organizer (In-School) – Host a 12-hour coding competition in your cafeteria
- School Website / App Developer – Modernize your school's digital presence or create an announcements app