Computer hackers who break into websites, change the code, and cause harm are very real. However, MIT Code for Good members aim to do the opposite. This group, mostly made up of electrical engineering and computer science majors (EECS, Course 6), wants to help important causes. Each semester, club members work with nonprofits in the Boston area to support their technical needs.
Formed in 2016, the club currently has 20 undergraduate members, but graduate students are also welcome. The work varies from project to project and often includes creating websites and blogs, providing software support, developing apps, and analyzing and visualizing data. Past clients include Parents Helping Parents, Chinese Cultural Connection, The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Boston, and the Boston Tax Help Coalition, among others.
“We reach out to local nonprofits to see if there are any projects we can help with or if they have projects they want to do but lack the technical skills for,” says Will Reed, a club officer. “There are no course requirements to join the club, and students from any background or major are encouraged to apply. Students who are not computer science majors will be placed on a team or project that matches their skills. The time commitment is three to five hours a week.”
“It’s great to collaborate on a project with a team and build something that impacts others through the nonprofits we serve. Our projects help us learn and grow as developers while creating something meaningful and purposeful,” says Isaac Taylor, a Course 6 junior.
“A class I found especially helpful is 6.s063 (Design for the Web: Languages and User Interfaces), a new class that teaches web development with a focus on usability and design principles. It provides a strong foundation in many skills useful for Code for Good projects. The coding-focused classes — especially 6.100A/B, 6.101, 6.102 — also help in becoming more comfortable with software development,” says Taylor.
“The organizations we work with appreciate our efforts, and nonprofits often choose to continue working with the club,” says Reed.
Students interested in this work should look out for the application this fall if they want to become a club member. The club will also be recruiting for executive positions. For more information, visit the website. Organizations in the Boston area interested in collaborating with the club can contact them via email.