Detroit Students from Google Code Next Are First Up at Michigan Central Station

Written By Paul Kampe
Jul 31, 2024
<2 MIN READ
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Michigan Central Station has its first new residents in more than 30 years, as Detroit students participating in Google’s Code Next program will occupy the building’s fifth floor, which has been dedicated to youth programs.

In just a few weeks since its epic grand reopening, Michigan Central Station has already attracted tens of thousands of visitors. And now, the iconic former train station and centerpiece of the 30-acre Michigan Central innovation campus has its first residents: Detroit youth participating in Google’s Code Next program. 

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To celebrate its move into The Station, Code Next hosted a Demo Day for its latest cohort of Detroit high schoolers.

In 2022, Google joined Ford Motor Company as a Founding Member of Michigan Central. Google works with Michigan Central and local nonprofits to train people in Detroit for in-demand jobs by providing access to programs like Google Code Next and the Google Career Certificates at no cost. Google also provides its technology and expertise to support Michigan Central with mobility innovation projects in Detroit and beyond.

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Code Next students presented digital and software projects they’ve completed to friends, family, and members of the community.

Now, participants of Google Code Next will be one of the occupants of The Station’s fifth floor, a 23,000-square-foot space that will be dedicated to youth programming. Google’s first Code Next lab in the Midwest, which has enrolled approximately 100 students to date, is focused on the Detroit youth population with an immersive computer science education program focused on helping Black, Latinx, and Indigenous high school students pursuing careers in tech. The program provides live coaches, state-of-the-art technical equipment, and content ranging from Javascript programming to user experience (UX) design.

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Google Code Next’s Detroit lab – Google’s first in the Midwest – has enrolled approximately 100 students across two cohorts. The program provides live coaches, state-of-the-art technical equipment, and content ranging from Javascript programming to user experience (UX) design.

“Today marks a significant milestone for Michigan Central and our efforts to build a vibrant hub for innovation, community and opportunity,” said Carolina Pluszczynski, chief operating officer and head of Innovation Services at Michigan Central. 

Having Detroit youth and Google’s Code Next be the first to call The Station home speaks clearly to the mission of Michigan Central to create not only tech and innovation, but opportunity.
Carolina Pluszczynski
Michigan Central COO, Head of Innovation Services

“It is also exciting to see our partnership with Google take another major step forward in our commitment to building an ecosystem that will keep Detroit and our region at the forefront of mobility innovation,” Pluszczynski added.

Moving into Michigan Central

The campus, which also includes the Newlab at Michigan Central building neighboring The Station, has grown to include a diverse ecosystem of more than 100 companies and start-ups since its opening last year. 

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Google Code Next participants will be one of the occupants of a 23,000-square-foot space at Michigan Central Station that will be dedicated to youth programming.

Additional tenants of The Station, including hospitality, retail, and other commercial and community-focused partners, will continue moving into the building. Ford employees will also soon be taking up residence, which includes teams from Model e and Integrated Services teams who will be among 1,000 Ford employees expected to be working in the company’s Corktown footprint by the end of the year. 

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Since 2015, Google Code Next has welcomed more than 10,000 students into the program nationwide. Over 90% of its graduates are pursuing higher education and more than 88% are majoring in a STEM field.

Michigan Central Station reopened to the public in June following an extensive six-year restoration by Ford following the company’s 2018 purchase of the long-vacant building. The Station’s ground floor is open for self-guided public tours on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the remainder of the summer. Visit https://michigancentral.com/open/ for more information.

Join the MCS Summer Open House

Be among the first to experience The Station’s next chapter. Sign up now to lend a helping hand and be a part of Detroit history! As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to engage and assist visitors and proudly represent Ford. Options to volunteer are every Friday and Saturday until Aug. 31, and filling up quickly. Sign up today and secure your spot.