The Hour of Code @Hamlin

In our increasingly online world, coding provides a key for young people to design their futures from the inside out. Recent studies show that programming jobs overall are growing 12% faster than the market average. Coding skills are especially important to those working in: Information Technology, Data Analysis, Art and Design, Engineering, and Science (Fast Company). Over the last few years Hamlin has become a leader in teaching K-8 technology to girls, while also successfully engaging faculty members in the learning process. The Hour of Code (which takes place 12/5-12/11) is a working celebration of our thoughtful emphasis on learning technology.

The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify “code,” to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science starting with 1-hour coding activities, but expanding to all sorts of community efforts. This grassroots campaign is supported by over 400 partners and 200,000 educators worldwide.

At Hamlin we have a wide array of activities taking place as part of the Hour of Code season.

-On 11/30 parents had the opportunity to code for 45 minutes and get a taste of what their daughters are learning.

-On 12/2 all of our K-7 students are visiting various companies in San Francisco to learn, participate, and be inspired by women who are thriving in the worlds of technology and business. You can follow this exciting day through the hashtag: #STEMGenderGap. 8th graders will be visited by people in the technology industry on campus.

-Throughout the week of 12/5 lower school students will be exploring: Lightbot, Kodable, Blockly Games: Maze, LEGO EV3, code.org Classic Maze, and code.org: Minecraft. Middle school students will be delving into: Codeacademy, Lightbot, RoboLogic, Cargo-Bot, Playgrounds, and App Lab/App Inventor. To learn more about some of these please click on the links below.

-On 12/7 (8am), Facebook executive Bianca Gates will be speaking and sharing her insights related to the Hour of Code and technology in business.

I had a chance to speak with Hamlin faculty member, Caroline Windell about the Hour of Code.

We have been participating with Hour of Code since it began four years ago. It’s been fascinating to see how every year I can teach content to younger and younger grades, it keeps me on my toes. The other piece that intrigues me are the available resources; they are intuitive, easy to teach, easy to learn, with inviting graphics. I love the intellectual process inherent in the Hour of Code, the computational thinking allows girls to develop their creativity and problem solving skills.

Hamlin parent, Alex Belenson speaks about #STEMGenderGap day: