How One Former Devoxx4Kids Student Is Transforming Tech Education for the Next Generation
The opening keynote at Devoxx Belgium 2025 brought something refreshingly different to the stage: not just another technical deep-dive, but a powerful message about the future of our industry. Cassandra Chin, author, educator, and advocate for diversity in tech, shared her insights on why teaching programming to children isn’t just important, it’s essential for building a more inclusive technology landscape.
From Student to Mentor: Cassandra’s Journey
Cassandra’s story is a testament to the power of early tech education. Her journey began in the California Bay Area, attending Devoxx4Kids workshops as a young student. These workshops sparked a passion that would define her career path. She didn’t just learn,, she gave back, becoming a Devoxx4Kids mentor herself and eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Colorado State University.
But Cassandra didn’t stop there. Since the age of 13, she’s been teaching technology workshops at international conferences, bringing hands-on coding experiences to children around the world. Today, she’s a keynote speaker, book author, podcast host, and a fierce advocate for making technology accessible to women, minorities, and underprivileged students.
The Critical Window: Why Middle School Matters
One of the most striking points Cassandra raised in her keynote is backed by research: most students have already made up their minds about pursuing a career in computer science by the time they finish middle school. This finding has profound implications for anyone who cares about diversity in tech.
If we wait until high school or college to introduce young people to programming, we’ve already missed a crucial window of opportunity. The students who receive positive, engaging introductions to technology at a young age are far more likely to see themselves as future programmers, engineers, and tech innovators.
Raising Young Coders: A Guide for All Parents
This realization led Cassandra to write “Raising Young Coders,” published with Apress. The book serves as a practical guide for both tech-savvy and non-technical parents who want to inspire their children to love technology. It demystifies the process of teaching kids to code and provides actionable strategies that any parent can use, regardless of their own technical background.
Her book has gained recognition at major industry events, including Kubecon + CloudNativeCon, and has been featured on prominent technology shows like theCUBE and Techstrong TV.
Making Programming Fun and Engaging
Throughout her presentation, Cassandra emphasized that learning to code should be fun and engaging, just as it was for her when she started. She teaches workshops for underprivileged kids at events around the globe, including CNCF Kids Day, where the focus is on creating enjoyable, hands-on experiences that make technology feel accessible and exciting.
Some of the key techniques Cassandra shared for getting kids excited about technology include:
- Project-based learning: Kids learn best when they’re building something they care about
- Gamification: Making coding feel like play rather than work
- Relatable examples: Using technology concepts that connect to kids’ everyday lives
- Celebrating small wins: Building confidence through incremental achievements
- Creating a supportive community: Ensuring kids feel they belong in tech spaces
Why This Matters for the Industry
Cassandra’s work addresses one of the technology industry’s most persistent challenges: lack of diversity. By reaching children before they’ve formed limiting beliefs about who “belongs” in tech, she’s helping to build a pipeline of diverse talent that will transform the industry in the years to come.
Her emphasis on supporting women, minorities, and underprivileged students isn’t just about social justice, it’s about building better technology. Diverse teams create more innovative solutions and build products that serve a broader range of users.
Take Action: What You Can Do
Cassandra’s message wasn’t just inspirational, it was a call to action. Whether you’re a parent, educator, conference organizer, or tech professional, you have a role to play in raising young coders:
- Parents: You don’t need to be a programmer yourself to support your child’s interest in technology. Check out resources like “Raising Young Coders” to learn how you can help.
- Educators: Look for opportunities to introduce programming in elementary and middle school curricula using engaging, project-based approaches.
- Tech Professionals: Consider volunteering with organizations like Devoxx4Kids, mentoring young people, or speaking at events that focus on youth education.
- Conference Organizers: Create spaces for young people to learn and explore technology, whether through dedicated kids’ days or family-friendly tracks.
Watch the Full Keynote
Want to hear more from Cassandra herself? Watch her complete presentation from Devoxx Belgium 2025: Watch on YouTube