CHICAGO — Jen Myers said she came up with the idea for Code and Cupcakes after taking her 9-year-old daughter around to classes where she was teaching computer programming.
"I'm a web designer and developer and I'd take her when I went to go teach," Myers said. "At some point she asked to teach her how to make a web page."
Twenty pairs of mothers and daughters will come together from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at Blue1647, 1647 S. Blue Island Ave. in Pilsen, for Code and Cupcakes' third-ever session.
Over the course of four hours, the pairs will work together learn how to code basic websites together covering the three primary programming languages of the web: HTML, CSS and JavaScript. They'll all eat some cupcakes too.
Myers, a Lakeview resident, says this is especially important given how children are tech-savvy when it comes to using a computer.
"I've been trying to keep it very introductory, making it accessible and get them excited after seeing behind the curtain" of websites, Myers said.
Myers' project held its first session in October at The Living Room in Wicker Park. Since has run a successful IndieGogo crowdfunding campaign raising $5,900.
The money will go toward buying 20 basic laptops to use for the program as well as cover scholarships intended to offset the modest $35 entry fee.
"It's important to me to see technology-related events that recognize the needs of mothers and help encourage smart, healthy girls," Myers wrote on the IndieGogo page.
Attendees run the gamut in experience and include mothers who are software developers to "some people who have never heard about web development at all," Myers said.
She hopes to see her program grow and plans to host upcoming events in different parts of Chicago.
As of Thursday evening, there were four tickets left for Saturday's Pilsen session.
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