Computer Science Education Week Kickoff

CSEdWeek, or Computer Science Education Week, is an initiative to create awareness of the importance of programming in today’s world, provide opportunities for everyone to learn, and inspire the next generation of students.

Why? Because in the 21st century, programming is everywhere, and every child will benefit from learning the basics, even if their interests lie elsewhere and they have no intention of making it their career.

But many kids might not know enough about it to want to make a career out of it, even if they would have if they did. That’s why, just like with everything else, it’s so important to expose children to computer science and what careers in computer science look like. And it turns out that kids actually like it! Take a look at the graph below of students’ favorite classes.

The Hour of Code is the idea that everyone can start with just an hour to learn the basics and continue on as much as they like. While one hour won’t give you the same knowledge as someone majoring in Computer Science, it can teach you the basic logic that all programming is based on. Even the youngest kids can “code” by programming a set of actions and watch the results. Move forward, turn right, move forward, move forward, turn left. As kids grow and learn to read, they can start learning more complex programming and use functions.

Head on over to the Hour of Code website and let the kids learn something new! There are tons of activities there, for every age and interest. You never know – you could help spark something that will benefit them later in life or completely change it.

And if your child craves more? There are so many ways to continue to learn, from free apps on tablets and phones to full on programming summer camps. Bitsbox is a website where kids can create their own fun “apps” and includes a subscription service that sends you cards with coding ideas and step-by-step instructions. Some libraries also have free coding classes and give out Bitsbox cards. Did you know that Minecraft incorporates coding? So when you think your child is wasting hours on their computer, they might actually be learning this crucial 21st century skill without even realizing it. Opportunities are everywhere!