Computer Science Education Week & the Power of Learning Code

By Mr. Matthew Mah, Head of Educational Technology, Junior School 

Computer Science Education Week celebrates the power of learning code. Although officially in December, this is a very busy time for WPGA, so the Junior School celebrates the Hour of Code in January, allowing us more time for exploration and a rich segue into robotics units for most grades.

This year our theme is #CSEverywhere, highlighting the impact that computer science is making everywhere and the relationship that computer science has to different subjects, industries, career paths and our everyday lives. Linking coding to real-world applications allows children to see the tangible effects of computer science. Students have tested mask effectiveness using an outbreak simulator, programmed virtual water bombers to put out spreading forest fires, and optimized beaver dam construction techniques.

Making code tangible and touchable also drives curiosity in children. Algorithms can be coded to generate interlocking 3D shapes to make customized 3D-printed fidget spinners and personalized bookmarks. Popular games such as Lego and Minecraft offer coding integration through EV3 robots and Python and Javascript mod creation, respectively.

Current events also pique curiosity and motivates children to explore independently. The recent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope provided opportunities to celebrate the Canadian Space Agency’s construction contributions and the resulting access to guaranteed research observations. Canada Space Agency’s partnership with the European Space Agency makes it possible for WPGA to participate in the annual Astro Pi Mission Zero challenge, which allows student-written Python code to run on Raspberry Pi computers on the International Space Station.

This year marks almost a decade of celebrating the Hour of Code in the Junior School. Giving young children the opportunity to create their own code in fun and exciting ways cultivates a positive attitude towards a historically complex subject. As technology continues to evolve, we strive to nurture our students’ natural curiosity and wonder through celebrating computer science education.

Check out some cool student-generated animations here and here.