The Hour of Code is Here!

Sometimes things are just so busy, especially with the holiday season in full swing, we miss hearing about really important, really interesting things going on around us. That is pretty much how I am feeling today. How did I make it to Tuesday, Dec 10th without paying attention to the fact that it is National Computer Science Education Week (Dec 9 - 15, 2013)?

“Computer science is a top paying college degree and computer programming jobs are growing at 2x the national average (csedweek.org/promote)”

The main focus this year is on an Hour of Code, a program where people of all ages (especially students) are encouraged to experience an introduction to computer science for at least one hour. It is a movement to get people of all ages to give coding a try, as the official site says, from ages 6 - 106. You can find out more information at http://www.csedweek.org

Technology and the computer sciences impact our lives in so many ways, yet the field is growing faster than the skilled workforce, especially in computer programming. In an effort to educate more young people about computer sciences, this Hour of Code project is gaining support. This is how I found out at 6am this morning; an email from my daughters math teacher that they would be taking the next two days away from regular curriculum to participate in the Hour of Code (code.org) challenge. What an amazing idea! This program, or call it a “movement”, is an exciting outreach within our local school system and I’m thankful that the teachers at her school are excited and taking the time to incorporate Hour of Code into their lesson plans.

Here is a fun (and short) video about the program – Learn what most schools don’t teach!

I am fortunate enough to work for an amazing technology company, so it seems normal to think everyone should learn how to program a computer… and I realize that if you are reading this blog, then I am probably preaching to the choir!   Please take some time to help promote National Computer Science Education Week and see what kind of spark you can help create in others!

There is a great (free) resource available at the Khan Academy's Hour of Code site that will let you share this skill set with other people. While I certainly want to learn more, I am especially excited that my daughters will be getting this experience in the classroom!