Computer Science Education Week is Coming! Get Started on Coding

Programming is the art of telling a computer what to do. Whether it’s creating a new game, programming an app for your smart phone or trying to create an AI to do all your homework for you, programming allows you to do amazing things! During the Computer Science Education week (December 7th through the 13th) you can get your chance to try programming and be part of an international movement at that same time. The movement is called Hour of Code and the goal is to demystify the process to show that coding (programming) can be both accessible and fun.

Created in 2013 by the nonprofit Code.org, the Hour of Code is just that—an hour long self-guided tutorial designed to teach you the basics of coding. The folks behind Code.org created this annual event in the hope that it will encourage greater participation in computer science—especially for typically underrepresented groups like women and students of color. According to their website, to date, more than 100 million students across 180 countries and 40 languages have participated in the Hour of Code, including one in three in U.S. schools.

But you don’t have to be a student or have any experience with coding to take part. Just go to Code and chose one of their tutorials. Many of the tutorials are also compatible with your smartphone, PC or tablet. The best part? The tutorials and curriculum will stay on the site year-round so you can always return to learn more. Stay tuned for our review of our favorite apps!

Tutor Delphia will also be joining in the fun by holding sessions for students at Blair Christian Academy in Mt. Airy on December 11th during school hours. We’re excited to be bringing the world of programming to their students.

As the global village expands computer literacy has become a necessary skill for success. The current job market still reflects the increasing need for computer programmers. Stats from the Bureau of Labor Statistics project that employment for software developers will continue to grow faster than any other occupation. Not only that, it’s a fun and rewarding career. But even if you aren’t destined for a career in coding, knowing how computers work, inside and out, gives you a leg up in any job!