Girl Code

By Zoe Larson May 17, 2021

Erase All Kittens (EAK) is an educational technology startup founded by two women with first hand experience working in the male-dominated field of coding. In an effort to bring more women into the field, the female-led team has launched a new “Mario” style game, specifically designed for girls between the ages of 8 and 12.

Co-Founders, Dee Saigal and Leonie Van Der Linde, understand the importance of exposing the world of coding, and its possibilities, to girls when they are young. According to TechCrunch, “EAK says its research shows that some 55% of its players are girls, and 95% want to learn more about coding after playing the game.”

“Players edit the code that governs the game environment, building and fixing levels as they play in order to save kittens in a fantasy internet universe,” Saigal says. She continues to explain that the game places a huge emphasis on creativity, and the players can see instant results as they make their way through the game by editing the code and exploring various solutions for their characters.

Saigal says, “When I was younger I wanted to be a games designer. I loved coming up with ideas for games but coding had always seemed like an impossible task. We weren’t taught coding at school, and I couldn’t see anyone who looked like me making games, so I didn’t think it was something I could do.”

In making a game that blends learning and storytelling, Saigal and Van Der Linde hope that coding will be seen by young girls as a problem-solving language with real world possibilities.  Since launching the new game, Erase All Kittens has raised $1 million and plans to continue expanding access to their platform in schools and other learning environments around the world.