More young students of today will be the computer science leaders of tomorrow. Even now, young students learn “coding language” and how to use it to create new programs.
Fifth graders at Leesville Elementary School seem to have been born at a computer screen. This day, they’re learning how to “code” their own computer programs.
They received a bit of encouragement in the endeavor from astronaut Jessica Watkins from the International Space Station.
“You are the Artemis generation and the future of space exploration,” she said.
The students learned that space exploration relies on computer coding language. The latest tools are something they can understand and one day master.
An special computer screen demonstration reveals colorful pieces of a puzzle can be moved to create a background block from a digital toolbox.
Natalie Batten, managing director of Accenture in Raleigh, said the students did not look lost. Quite the opposite.
“It seems to come pretty naturally to them, and it’s a nicely game-ified system,” she said. “So it feels like they’re playing, and they don’t quite realize that they may be learning some computer concepts as well.”
Batten and Accenture-colleague Kelsey Pasley introduced the students to these new colorful coding tools. With it, they can create their own planets as well as a musical score to go with it.
“This is a way for them to learn how to make things move and make sound and get excited,” said Coreen Levy, technology teacher.
It was fifth grader Nolan Keel’s first try at coding.
“It’s fun and it’s a great learning experience,” Keel said. “It’s hard at first, but once you get used to it, it’s pretty easy.”
Pasley described their goal, “We’re trying to de-mistify computer science and coding by showing that it’s just logic that you use to solve problems.”
Coreen Levy plans to keep the enthusiasm growing for he students.
“The more colorful it is, the more it moves, the more sound it makes,” she said. “It’s fun! It’s drums! It got cymbals. They really love it.”
Schools from across the country are taking part in “Hour of Coding” events to spark a creative interest in computer science.