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Creative coding career classes
By AMANDA TONOLI
AUSTINTOWN
Austintown students learned about coding careers for Computer Science Education Week.
Several school districts in Mahoning and Trumbull counties participated Dec. 1 to Friday in the National Hour of Code, a national program that teaches students skills for careers in technology.
For the third year of participation, Austintown schools expanded the program from just technology class to districtwide. This gave most students the opportunity to learn about the growing number of careers in coding.
Stephanie Toporcer, technology coach, said the program is designed to “de-mystify” code and show that anyone can learn the basics.
“Every student should have the opportunity to learn computer science,” Toporcer said. “By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st-century career path.”
The Hour of Code is organized by Code.org, a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science by making it available in more schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students.
Students had the opportunity to learn about computer science in coding through games and activities provided by technology-savvy volunteers,
“I think it’s great for kids because it brings to light how we use coding every day,” said Tammy Chmelik, a fourth-grade teacher.
Toporcer said the Hour of Code is beneficial for teaching the students skills in problem-solving, logic and creativity.
“It also creates a level of independence in our younger students to ... try something without knowing if it’s going to be ‘right,’” Toporcer said. “It’s really a great learning experience for those students who don’t want to proceed or volunteer unless they know they are correct. In coding, it’s all about trial and error.”
Toporcer said she focused on bringing local people in to teach students about coding for everyday people.
“They see Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, but they need to see coding as a normal everyday career here in town,” Toporcer said.
Volunteer Matt McGivern, of Roth Bros. Inc., taught students that some codes are very simple.
“What we do is use language in our codes called plain English. They are regular words – words you know,” McGivern said.
Fourth-grade student Ameena Agnow said she understood – because she speaks plain English.
“It’s just like the words we are speaking right now,” said Alaysia Jackson, another fourth-grade student.
Toporcer said for next year, she wants to expand the program by getting more volunteers and incorporating more types of coding.
“Each year, we grow our program,” Toporcer said. “We take part in this celebration because of all the benefits and because our students love it. ... We need to start educating our students in computer science at all levels, and this is the first step.”
The Oak Hill Collaborative will host its own Hour of Code event in the Oak Hill Makerspace at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The hour will include a variety of guided tutorials to choose from, with characters from “Frozen,” “Angry Birds,” “Star Wars” and more. No experience is required, and anyone who is curious about coding and computer science is welcome and encouraged to attend.
This event is part of a broader initiative by the Oak Hill Collaborative to engage students and the local community in building and developing skill sets and proficiencies in computer science, technology and entrepreneurship.
For more information and upcoming events including the Raspberry Pi program, 3-D printing classes and more, visit oakhillcollaborative.org.
To learn more about code, information and activities can be found at https://code.org/.