The Hour Of Code Challenge Starts Next Week

By - 425 words

Language

Reading Level

Listen to Article

The Hour of Code is designed to expose kids of all ages and backgrounds to coding (Credit: Code.org)

With much of our world automated, many experts believe that coding should be a core part of modern education. Yet, only 20 US states offer high school students access to computer science courses, and just 8 of those make the subject accessible to kids in lower grades. However, thanks to Seattle-based Code.org's Hour of Code Challenge, learners of all ages and backgrounds can now get exposure to this all-important subject.

The Hour of Code includes fun programming challenges for every age (Credit: Code.org)

Now in its eighth year, the event, offered annually during Computer Science Education Week (December 7th - 13th, 2020), attracts over 100 million participants across 180 countries. The hour-long coding activities, created with help from over 400 partners, including Google, Microsoft, and Khan Academy, are offered in 45 different languages. Suitable for all ages — from 4 to 104 — and experience levels, they are designed to demystify the world of coding and inspire students of all backgrounds to consider a career in software engineering. Though school sessions are usually restricted to sixty minutes, individuals can pursue longer coding challenges and tackle as many of the offerings as they wish on their own time.

Students can select their coding project based on their age, interest level, and programming prowess. Among this year's offerings is A Minecraft Tale of Two Villages. Created by the popular video game's programmers, it is designed to raise awareness of unconscious bias by bringing together two villages with the power of code. The developers state, “[We hope] coders will experience compassion for their neighbors, learn about cooperation and equity, and embrace the diversity that makes us all uniquely special."

Kids will also be able to select COVID-19-centric games involving coding social distance procedures, as well as program their own superhero. With over 200 projects to choose from, there is something to interest programmers of all ages and coding skills.

Once introduced to the subject, a majority of students enjoy computer science (Credit: Code.org)

While 60 minutes is enough time to get students intrigued about the subject, it is inadequate to master programming. To enable them to continue, Code.org offers ongoing computer science tutorials for students and professional learning for teachers. Since 2013, the non-profit has trained over 200,000 educators across grades K-12. In 2018, more than 19,000 Code.org students signed up for and passed the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles examination.

Though the progress is encouraging, there is still a lot that needs to be done, especially given that most future jobs will require some programming knowledge. To learn how you and your school can get involved with the Hour of Code and the future of computer science, check out hourofcode.com.

Resources: Hourofcode.com

Workbook

Get the Workbook for this article!

Workbook contains: Article, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking Questions, Vocabulary in Context (+ answers), Multiple Choice Quiz (+ answers), Parts of Speech Quiz (+ answers), Vocabulary Game (+ answers)
Cite Article

Generate citations in MLA, APA, & Chicago formats

MLA8

Shariff, Hannah. “The Hour Of Code Challenge Starts Next Week.” DOGObooks, DOGO Media, Inc., 01 Dec, 2020, www.dogonews.com/2020/11/28/the-hour-of-code-challenge-starts-next-week. Accessed 28 Dec. 2024.

MLA7

Shariff, Hannah. “The Hour Of Code Challenge Starts Next Week.” DOGObooks, DOGO Media, Inc., 01 Dec, 2020, Web. 28 Dec. 2024.

Generate citations in MLA, APA, & Chicago formats

APA

Shariff, H. (2020, December 1). The Hour Of Code Challenge Starts Next Week. Retrieved 2024, December 28, from https://www.dogonews.com/2020/11/28/the-hour-of-code-challenge-starts-next-week

Generate citations in MLA, APA, & Chicago formats

Chicago

Shariff, Hannah. “The Hour Of Code Challenge Starts Next Week.” DOGObooks. December 1, 2020. Accessed December 28, 2024. https://www.dogonews.com/2020/11/28/the-hour-of-code-challenge-starts-next-week.
Learn Keywords in this Article
Play Vocabulary Game
256 Comments

Embed Code

Copy and Paste the code below to your website or blog.

By using this widget you agree to the Terms of Use.

Generate citations in MLA, APA, & Chicago formats

MLA8

Shariff, Hannah. “The Hour Of Code Challenge Starts Next Week.” DOGObooks, DOGO Media, Inc., 01 Dec, 2020, www.dogonews.com/2020/11/28/the-hour-of-code-challenge-starts-next-week. Accessed 28 Dec. 2024.

MLA7

Shariff, Hannah. “The Hour Of Code Challenge Starts Next Week.” DOGObooks, DOGO Media, Inc., 01 Dec, 2020, Web. 28 Dec. 2024.

Chicago

Shariff, Hannah. “The Hour Of Code Challenge Starts Next Week.” DOGObooks. December 1, 2020. Accessed December 28, 2024. https://www.dogonews.com/2020/11/28/the-hour-of-code-challenge-starts-next-week.

APA

Shariff, H. (2020, December 1). The Hour Of Code Challenge Starts Next Week. Retrieved 2024, December 28, from https://www.dogonews.com/2020/11/28/the-hour-of-code-challenge-starts-next-week

Popular Books

WeekMonthYear

Learning Activities