Next week is Computer Science Education Week!!!

CSEdWeek is held in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (Dec. 9, 1906). Admiral Hopper is known for popularizing the idea of machine-independent programming languages, which led to the development of the programming languages we have today. A programming language is what a computer reads to execute all of its functions. Coding is the process of writing that language out in organized patterns for computers to read. Think of English as a programming language and writing a recipe as coding. Humans are the computer that reads the code in the English language and makes the recipe.

This is a little bit confusing, why are you telling me this???

Next week, December 9th through 13 th is this year's CSEdWeek. One of the goals of the week is to have students get to know computer programming by participating in an Hour of Code. Having all students participate in an hour of coding helps them become familiar with what it is and maybe even spur some interest in pursuing computer science in school or a career in coding. While most of us are not in line for this type of career change, we are all educators and are in the unique position to open our students' eyes to computer science through the Hour of Code. As our students grow, they will be faced with a world where computer systems are embedded even more in their daily lives. So no matter what their career path may take, having an understanding coding will be a huge benefit to them. Coding helps students develop skills like perseverance, stamina, creativity, and imagination as they address problems, build on the ideas of others, and even develop their own, unique ideas.

So what are we doing in WPS for the Hour of Code?!?

We'll be continuing the tradition of having each Technology Class during the week of 12/9 through 12/13 be focused on coding to give each student K-6 just about an hour of coding. We will also continue to extend the Hour of Code throughout the district with some initiatives, assemblies, and learning experiences that will give students an opportunity to explore coding like they may not have before. We are very fortunate to have two Google employees as parents of students in our schools and they will be leading some great assemblies and experiences for students in grade 2 through grade 6. Students in grades 3 will have the opportunity to learn about the App creation process at Google and will be guided through the process as they brainstorm potential apps they may want to create. Students in grades 4-6 will take a look at evolution of transportation and through guided design thinking activities, will try to create the next great innovation in transportation. These are sure to be inspirational opportunities that will lead to further exploration in their Technology Classes. Students in grade 2 will be taken on a virtual adventure to some of the habitats they will be studying in their upcoming habitats unit. The assembly times and locations are below.

In addition to all of this in-school fun. We'll also be holding a coding contest for all students. If a parent catches their student completing an Hour of Code at home the parent can complete a form on the WPS App to be entered to win a prize. The student will also have their name added to the Caught Coding list that will be on the home screen of the WPS App.

The App Form will be made live on Monday 12/9. The contest will run through 11:59pm on Monday, December 16th.

I am looking forward to experiencing this week with you and bringing some extra innovation to WPS!!!