Today is the first day of Computer Science Education Week, which is dedicated to helping kids learn about computer coding and science. Computer science is a top-paying college degree and computer programming jobs are growing at twice the national average, but 9 out of 10 schools don’t offer computer programming classes. Fewer than five percent of Virginia public school students will even experience computer science before graduating.

That's why Senator Warner is excited about the great work being done by the nonprofit Code.org, which is helping to teach kids not just how to use computer applications, but how to create those applications. Their program Hour of Code helps demystify computer science and teaches kids and adults alike simple programming language.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce looked at all 50 states and Virginia ranked #1 in the nation in its concentration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related jobs and #2 in the country in the growth of STEM-related businesses. But Senator Warner doesn’t believe we should just stop there. He believes we all need to do more to empower Virginia's young people -- especially girls and children of color -- to participate fully in this exciting and growing part of the economy.

Watch the below video for a quick message from Senator Warner about Hour of Code.