A Summer of Code: Reflecting on My Google.org Coding Summer School

Sara teaching in front of a group of young kids.

Looking back on my journey with Digibeta, the summer of 2019 will always stand out as a truly special milestone. I had the incredible opportunity to design and run a coding summer school for kids, in commission for the Google.org foundation. It was a big, beautiful project, and one that I am immensely proud of.

The Mission: Making STEM Fun and Accessible

Throughout that summer, I had the privilege of teaching hundreds of kids the fundamentals of coding and other STEM-related subjects. Our main tool was Scratch, a wonderfully intuitive and easy-to-learn programming language perfect for young, creative minds. Using Google Chromebooks, we transformed complex ideas into fun, interactive projects.

But it was more than just sitting behind a screen. We created a true day camp atmosphere, making sure everyone was energized and happy with plenty of fresh fruit and other healthy snacks. The goal was to create a positive, engaging environment where curiosity could thrive. The best part? Google.org funded the entire initiative, making it completely accessible for every child living in and around Brussels.

Sara showing the result of a video animated within scratch

A Personal Milestone

On a personal note, this project was a huge moment for me. It was the first time such a large, globally respected company confided in me to handle a project of this scale from start to finish. The trust they placed in me was both humbling and exhilarating.

It was an incredibly fun and rewarding experience. The joy of seeing those kids have their 'aha!' moments with code—watching them create something entirely their own—is the very same passion that fuels every workshop and coaching session I run with Digibeta today. This project was a powerful reminder that with the right tools and a supportive environment, anyone can fall in love with the creative power of technology.

Thank you F., for the change you’ve made within Google and the trust you’ve confided in me.