Happiness economics and emerging tech, Kiera Peltz on building access at scale

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jill Foley sits down with Kiera Peltz, Founder and CEO of The Coding School, to explore how happiness economics, equity, and emerging technology education are deeply connected.Kiera shares her journey from studying happiness at Brown to launching The Coding School from her college dorm room at 19, driven by a belief that access to technical skills is foundational to agency and wellbeing. She reflects on global perspectives gained in China, early validation from school leaders, and the urgency she felt to rethink how and when students are introduced to computer science.Throughout the conversation, Kiera unpacks what equity looks like in practice, from high-touch retention strategies to designing programs that work for students learning on mobile devices. She also shares how bold experimentation led to scaling quantum computing and AI education, partnerships with IBM, and earning a $3M Department of Defense grant. The episode closes with a forward-looking view of why depth, not just awareness, is essential in preparing students for a rapidly evolving future.Key Moments01:08 What happiness economics is and why it matters04:29 Education, skill-building, and control over one’s future06:13 Global perspectives and the urgency to act early09:16 Early validation from a school principal10:11 The Coding School’s access-focused program model13:38 Equity at scale, funding, and retention through human connection19:06 Dropout patterns and shifting from in-person to online learning24:27 Introducing quantum computing and pushing past skepticism26:57 Scaling during the pandemic with IBM30:32 Turning outcomes into a $3M Department of Defense grant32:17 Designing for mobile learners and listening with humility37:35 What’s next for The Coding School and emerging tech education42:58 Why tech literacy matters for every future path44:57 “It’s not on the students, it’s on us.”Why You’ll Love This EpisodeThis episode reframes emerging technology education as a human-centered endeavor. Kiera makes a compelling case that rigorous STEM learning can and should be accessible to every student, and that retention, personalization, and humility are essential parts of equity.Kiera also shares:Why STEM fluency is a pathway to happiness and agencyHow retention can be an equity strategyWhat it takes to teach complex topics like quantum computing at scaleWhy “intro-only” exposure to AI and emerging tech isn’t enoughConnect with Kiera PeltzLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kierapeltzThe Coding School : https://blog.the-cs.org/Connect with UsCompany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-incCompany Website: https://flexion.us/If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.Join us next time on Chalk and Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.