WLA YSS Sessions in Short: Fear Not: Coding for the Rest of Us

Fear Not: Coding for the Rest of Us

There were several sessions at WLA that gave me some superb program ideas, but none more so than “Fear Not: Coding for the Rest of Us,” presented by Andrea Stepanik and Gillian Dawson (Brown County Library, Green Bay). I’ve always been interested in coding; learning how computers work and how to create programs is incredibly empowering. Here’s the thing, though: growing up—even up until just a few years ago—I never thought coding was for me. I have never been good at math or science, and don’t you have to be some kind of genius to code? The idea of learning—much less, leading—a coding program seemed way too intimidating for me to ever consider a realistic possibility.

If you have ever felt like me, “Fear Not: Coding for the Rest of Us” is a perfect resource for you. Stepanik and Gillian began the session admitting that they were also completely self-taught and had never imagained they would be leading innovative coding programs. First, they introduced the different kinds of coding languages you can use in your programs from HTML to Scratch, and which languages are best to use with which ages.

Then, we got to learn about the toys. Oh, the coding toys! I can forsee much grant and supply money going toward these fun pieces of tech! Here are a few of my favorites that Stepanik and Gillian recommended using for your coding programs:

Preschool

·         Code-a-Pillars are about $50.00 each and teach kids the basics of computational thinking with a fun (and noisy!) hands-on caterpillar that they code by manipulating and connecting pieces.

School Age-Teen

·         Lego Maze Coding. You just need Legos for this unplugged coding activity. Kids build Lego mazes, switch mazes with someone else, and then write the code that would allow a Lego figure to navigate the maze.

·         Coding Escape Rooms: Breakout Edu kits includes access to three computer science kits that make kids use code to get out of the room! Difficulty can be scaled up and down depending on difficulty.

Multiple Ages: Coding Board Games

·         Coding Farmers (ages 7 and up)

·         Code Master (ages 5 and up)

·         Littlecodr (4-8 years)

·         Robot Turtles (ages 4 and up)

·         Science Wiz Cool Circuits (ages 8 and up)

Then, there’s the granddaddy of them all: Arduino. Arduino reminded me of Raspberry Pi, but cooler. They combine circuitry and coding to teach kids through adults how computers work and how to create anything from a knock-code lock for your door to a self-watering system for your house plants. It is definitely the most complex and intense of the tech introduced in the session but I cannot wait to try it.

That was the biggest gain I got from the session: empowerment. I am excited to play with new tech and introduce it to my patrons. When you see your code working, it is incredibly empowering. Now that I’ve got my feet wet, I can’t wait to learn more! Since the session, I am proud to say that I have now lead my first coding class. And you know what? None of the kids laughed me out of the room or scoffed at me. They were so excited to learn and so engaged with the programs, they didn’t have time. In fact, most of them were more than happy to help me when I got stuck. The technology introduced at this session are more than just toys: they can be the tools that inspire your kids to imagine—and create—the future.

Author: Julia Lee

To see all the recaps of "WLA Sessions in Short" click below:
Reach One Teach One
Group Problem Solving
Using the Five Practices in School Age Programming
Plan Less, Program More

Diversify Me