To conclude successful programs and activities in computer coding that took place this fall, Abington students at Overlook and other Abington elementary schools participated this week in the “International Hour of Code” sessions to enable them to join in the activities.
At Overlook, shown in the photos here, fifth-grade students from Mr. Matthews’ class mentored kindergarten students from Ms. Simmon’s class. Yes, elementary school kindergarten students are learning computer coding! Using very visual screen commands, students created their work and saw it converted into code.
“The ‘Hour of Code’ is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to at least one hour of computer science and computer programming.
The “Hour of Code” takes place every year during Computer Science Education Week. The 2016 Computer Science Education Week is December 5-11. Computer Science Education Week is held annually in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906).
Experts say that there is a critical shortage of coders and have promoted having even very young students obtain access and experiences in coding at early ages.
In Abington elementary schools, students at many levels are learning the initial steps in coding – their teachers and older mentors have made the experience interesting and in many cases, fun, as students accomplish coding tasks successfully.
