Computer Science Course to Serve 1,400 Students in San Antonio
VisionCoders is a sixth- to eighth-grade computer science course developed by IDRA designed for students who are in at-risk situations. Students learn valuable computer science skills, and they improve their computational thinking, computing identity and math skills.
High-quality, social-emotional learning (SEL) and asset-based STEM-Computer Science program
In-school program offers students who are in at-risk situations to become the next generation of software coders.
Why IDRA VisionCoders?
- Fewer than 1% of adults in South San Antonio work in computer-related fields, but these are the fastest-growing, highest-paying, most in-demand jobs.
- Tech workers are happier with their jobs and earn higher salaries.
- Computing jobs are the #1 source of new wages.
- Today’s fastest-growing careers are tech-driven from healthcare to telecommunications to aerospace.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects computer science research jobs alone to increase by 19% by 2026. And 67% of all new jobs in STEM are in computing.
“VisionCoders students mentor their elementary buddies. We have witnessed how this experience is already strengthening student perceptions of self and school, as well as their sense of belonging.” – Stephanie Garcia, VisionCoders director
We Prepare Teachers
IDRA trains VisionCoders teachers to teach block programming and video game design. And we assist throughout the school year.
Students Learn to Code & Mentor
Participating students become software designers who create educational games for elementary school students (their “buddies”), whom they also mentor. Throughout the year, students design games based on their buddy’s math and literacy learning needs.
Students Make College & Career Connections
Students build digital project portfolios and journal their experiences. They have guest speakers and host an end-of-year showcase to present their games to families, staff, STEM professionals and the broader community.
“This program helped me decide that I want to pursue coding as a career.” – VisionCoders student
“My daughter is already talking about going to UTSA, and she’s not even in high school yet. The influence of this program got her thinking about going to college.” – VisionCoders parent
Adopt a School
Be a sponsor to help us keep the program alive!
This field-initiated, research-based program was originally funded by the U.S. Department of Education. IDRA VisionCoders has served nearly 800 students across 11 local middle schools. But federal funding has ended. We need you to keep this highly popular program reaching more students.
For more information, contact Dr. Stephanie Garcia, VisionCoders project director at stephanie.garcia@idra.org.
“I learned that you must face your fears, and you must persevere to achieve success. This program has also helped me realize that coding is something I want to do in the future.” – 8th Grade VisionCoders student
News
VisionCoders: Many Levels of Game-Based Learning, by Redfield, C., Garcia, S., Bojorquez, H., & Puente, A. (2026). In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 3188-3193). Philadelphia: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).
Video game coding is helping middle schoolers in San Antonio, here’s how, by Prit Chauhan, MSN, May 31, 2026
How video game coding is helping middle schoolers on San Antonio’s South Side, by Xochilt Garcia, San Antonio Report, May 25, 2026
Young Coders Win Awards for Inspiring Reflections on STEM and Growth, reflection contest awards, May 2025
STEM Contest Winners Express IDRA VisionCoders Impact, reflection contest awards, 2024
Embedding Social-Emotional Learning into Student-Serving Programs, by Stephanie García, Ph.D.
Bring VisionCoders to Your School – Webinar for San Antonio-area Middle Schools: March 27, 2023 (watch recording)
Middle Schoolers Becoming Software Designers while Supporting Younger Students – South San Antonio ISD Students Pilot IDRA’s New VisionCoders Course, February 9, 2023
VisionCoders Teens Learn Computer Science to Support Younger Students – IDRA Responds to Pandemic’s Effects on Social Emotional Learning, by Stephanie García, Ph.D., IDRA Newsletter, November-December 2022
San Antonio Middle School Students to Become Software Designers – IDRA & Texas A&M University–San Antonio Launch ‘VisionCoders™’ with $3.89M Federal Grant, January 15, 2021
Resources
Infographic: Computer Science = Problem Solving
Infographic: STEM Trends by Gender
eBook: Computer Science Resources Overview
eBook: Girls in STEM Education – Research Overview and Resources
