Local students to participate in international Hour of Code online learning event

Photo: Frank DeFrank

Frank DeFrank, The Macomb Daily writes, "Macomb County elementary school students will join 100 million or so of their closest friends next week when they participate in a worldwide event designed to pique their interest in computer science."

The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science designed to “de mystify” code and demonstrate that anybody can learn the basics. The event will be held Dec. 8-14 in conjunction with Computer Science Education Week.

Photo: Hour of Code

Organized by Code.org., a non-profit organization dedicated to making computer science more available in schools, the program affords opportunities for students to get involved simply by logging on to a website, accessing tutorials and setting up an Hour of Code event.

Several schools in the Utica and Romeo school districts informed The Macomb Daily they would participate in the event.

“It’s trying to get students interested in computer programming,” said Jackie Zawierucha, media center teacher at Beacon Tree Elementary School in Shelby Township. “There is such a lack of people who are computer programmers.

“We did it last year, and the kids absolutely love it.”

While students are exposed to computers practically from the first day they enter kindergarten, the need for them to learn and be comfortable with computer science is increasing, said Eric Whitney, an assistant superintendent with Romeo Community Schools. Whitney said all 2,500 elementary students in his district will participate in Hour of Code.
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Additional resources 
Hour of Code 
The Hour of Code - WORLDWIDE  
 

Source: The Macomb Daily and Code.org Channel (YouTube)