Changing Perspectives Early: Why We Launched the Margaret Hamilton Project
In my years building teams, one truth has been clear: diversity is not just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for innovation. Whether solving complex problems or creating the next big thing, you need a mix of perspectives at the table. The more varied the voices, the more creative the solutions. And nowhere is this truer than in tech, where the challenges are complex and the demand for creative thinking is constant.
Seeing the Divide Firsthand
One experience that really drove this home for me was a talk I gave at a local high school. They’d invited me to speak about tech and the possibilities within the industry. It was meant to be an inspiring talk, not too technical, just to spark curiosity. But as I looked out at the students, it hit me just how early our biases start shaping us.
We did a little activity around career paths, and the students quickly split into two groups. One group gravitated toward technical fields—coding, engineering, physics. The other? Nursing, teaching, social work. And if I asked you to guess the gender breakdown in each group, you probably wouldn’t be wrong. This wasn’t about their capabilities or interests; it was about the ideas they’d absorbed about who should do what.
That experience was a wake-up call. If we want to change these outdated ideas, we can’t wait until kids are in high school, when choices already feel cemented. We need to reach them younger, before those biases take hold. And that’s where the Margaret Hamilton Project comes in.
The Margaret Hamilton Project – Leveling the Playing Field Early
The Margaret Hamilton Project is a simple idea with a big impact: a free, introductory programming course for kids aged 6 to 9 in public schools. We wanted to create a space where all kids, no matter their background or gender, could get hands-on with coding, just like they would with sports or arts after school. Here’s what makes it different:
- It’s free. We set it up as an extracurricular, just like soccer or basketball. No cost, no barriers—just a chance for kids to try something new.
- It’s focused on public schools. Access should be for everyone, especially those who might not otherwise have the chance.
- It’s equitable. We keep a balanced 50-50 gender attendance, so every kid sees themselves represented in the classroom.
- It’s about coding, not diversity training. We teach coding fundamentals, period. But the environment itself is diverse, with engineers of all backgrounds (and gender parity) coming in to talk about their work. It’s not about preaching diversity; it’s about modeling it.
This might sound simple, but we’re already seeing change. Recently, I sat down with a group of kids in the program and asked if they knew who Margaret Hamilton was. Every girl knew. None of the boys did. That’s something.
Expanding the Mission
Last year, we piloted the Margaret Hamilton Project in one public school, Colegio Reyes Católicos. This year, we’re setting our sights higher, hoping to bring the program to more schools through crowdfunding. We calculated that each school would cost about €10,000 per year to run—just enough to keep it sustainable and free.
And we’re thrilled to say we’ve already surpassed our goal for two schools. Every additional dollar will bring this experience to another group of kids.
How You Can Help
The Margaret Hamilton Project isn’t just about coding; it’s about breaking down barriers before they become walls. It’s about showing kids that their potential isn’t limited by gender, background, or anyone else’s expectations. If this resonates with you, please consider supporting us. Whether it’s a donation, a share, or just some good vibes sent our way, every bit helps.
Together, we can make sure that the next generation grows up knowing they belong in tech—or wherever else they dream of going.
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