MapQuest Professors Host “Hour of Code” Academy

Headquarter Office Welcomes Hundreds of Denver Public School Students; Encourages Corporations Through Instruction

DENVER--()--MapQuest, Inc., today launched a weeklong program dedicated to providing Denver Public School students with an “Hour of Code” instruction. Over the course of Computer Science Week (Dec. 8-14), each MapQuest employee in its headquarter office will lead an “Hour of Code” session providing code curriculum, an introduction to real careers that STEM education can lead to, mentoring, a completion certificate and homework to continue the learning. The experience is meant to provide actual tactical knowledge, as well as reduce the barriers to STEM higher education and careers for students everywhere of every age.

MapQuest’s participation in the global “Hour of Code” underscores its belief in investing in STEM education for all and creating more opportunities for girls to choose a STEM field. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies are essential to day operations at MapQuest affecting every department, every project, and every product and service offered to consumers.

“Hour of Code” is an initiative by CSEdWeek and code.org to introduce computer programming to 10 million students and encourage them to learn programming. Curriculum and instruction tips were provided by code.org and several other accredited organizations, and technologists across the country were encouraged to offer time, instruction and mentoring to students in their communities.

MapQuest and AOL volunteers in Denver, Dulles, San Francisco and New York will be instructing one-hour classes around code that is pre-accredited, engaging and a baseline for future computer science study and development.

“While I’m happy these students will walk away with a general understanding of how code works, I’m happier the kids have a mentor and a friend to help them understand how and why code is cool,” said Brian McMahon, general manager, MapQuest. “Obstacles and intimidation prevent so many from learning the basics of code, and this immersion will help lay the foundation that computer science is fun, interesting and the future of nearly every industry.”

Representatives from the Department of Children’s Affairs, City of Denver; Colorado Technology Association; Denver Public Schools, and University Preparatory charter school students attended a pep rally at MapQuest before kicking off the inaugural hour of code in Denver.

Learning sessions will continue throughout the week with on- and offline lessons taught by the MapQuest Professor teams. Host to numerous student groups throughout the year, MapQuest hopes to create an easy architecture and network of Colorado technology businesses that can support STEM activities within the community going forward.

Watch highlight footage here: https://vimeo.com/113956485

About MapQuest, Inc.

MapQuest provides Internet, mobile and business solutions delivering on the promise of helping people dream, plan, share and go wherever the map meets their life. MapQuest is one of the leading mapping brands online, reaching 41.5 million multi-platform users, according to comScore Media Metrix Multiplatform. MapQuest’s mobile solutions are compatible with a variety of mobile devices, including iPhone and Android devices. MapQuest, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL), is based in Denver, Colo.

Contacts

MapQuest, Inc.
Jennifer Asbury, 303-250-9524
Jennifer.Asbury@mapquest.com
@MapQuest

Contacts

MapQuest, Inc.
Jennifer Asbury, 303-250-9524
Jennifer.Asbury@mapquest.com
@MapQuest