5 Engaging Hour of Code Activities for Quick Learning
Each year, Computer Science Education Week (this year, it’s Dec. 9-15) aims to inspire K-12 students and teachers to learn about computer science, promote equity and access to computer science education, and bring awareness to the field. As part of this initiative, the Hour of Code serves as a perfect opportunity to introduce students and educators to coding through hour-long activities. The event is intended to “demystify coding and show that anyone can learn the basics, inspiring future interest in computer science.”
Here are 5 Hour of Code resources to try:
1. Music Lab: Jam Session (Amazon): Make music and learn to code with Music Lab: Jam Session! Students remix tracks from artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, and Shakira while mastering coding basics such as sequencing, functions, and exploring AI-driven beat creation. This hands-on interactive experience sparks creativity and boosts confidence–leaving students proud of their custom track and the coding skills they’ve gained.
2. Hello World (Code.org): Learn the basics of computer science by programming in Sprite Lab. Create and animate sprites, and make your own interactive scenes.
3. The Show Must Go On (Minecraft Education): Use problem-solving and computational thinking to code through fun challenges, unlock surprises, and bring a show to life. Compose a song, choreograph a dance, craft a costume, and save the show–all while learning key coding skills in blocks or Python.
4. Code Farm: Plant a Garden (CoderZ): Program a robot to plant a garden, and learn how robots help farmers in the real world.
5. Spreading Kindness with Scratch and Gitanjali Rao (Scratch Foundation): Remix a starter project to develop and share a message of kindness, inspired by Gitanjali’s innovative approach to anti-bullying efforts for young people around the world.
For more news on computer science and engaging STEM activities, visit eSN’s STEM & STEAM hub.
Author Laura Ascione, the Editorial Director at eSchool Media, recommends these Hour of Code activities to inspire creativity, boost confidence, and develop essential coding skills in students of all ages. Don’t miss the chance to explore the exciting world of computer science through these engaging resources!