Resource Sharing

Spotlight on Sharing: Computer Science Education Week 2016

By Amy Hitchner: Published on
Resource Sharing

Computer Science Education Week 2016Computer Science Education Week and Hour of Code are global initiatives from Code.org to raise awareness about the importance of computer science education at all levels. This year, over 100 million students in 180 countries will participate in Hour of Code events and other Computer Science Education Week activities from December 5-11, 2016.

The Hour of Code website offers high-quality, free tutorials for anyone interested in learning the basics of coding. Many schools and libraries also support computer science education with special Hour of Code events and ongoing programs. See a list of Colorado organizations that have registered for Hour of Code.

Below are some of the activities happening at libraries around our state. Don’t see your library’s event? Email Amy Hitchner, ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org to add it.

Anythink Libraries is partnering with Exploration Universe to provide a week of coding activities for all ages. Whether you want to learn basics, game design, HTML, apps, or Minecraft, there is a class for you. Check the Anythink website for a full list of events.

On Saturday, December 10 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, Louisville Public Library invites children ages 4-6 with their caregiver to learn the basics of simple computer coding without using computers. Children will play Simon Says, teach a robot to brush its teeth, and guide their “Robot” caregivers through a life-size coding maze. Be sure to contact the library to register, as space is limited.

Poudre River Public Library District wants kids to become creators by learning drag-and-drop programming. They are offering a Coding for Kids class on Saturday, December 3, 2016 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Kids and teens age 8-16 are invited to register. Adults can also learn drag-and-drop programming during a special coding class on December 13, 2016 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Boulder Public Library has a full docket of Computer Science Education Week events for all ages starting December 3, 2016. They have partnered with educators from the CU Science Discovery Center, SparkFun Electronics, Twitter Boulder, Google, and many other area organizations to offer classes in robotics, programming, web design, game design, and 3D printing. Check the BPL website for all the details.

Garfield County Libraries will be hosting Hour of Code activities during Computer Science Education Week.

  • Monday, December 5 at 12:00 pm at the Parachute Branch Library
  • Thursday, December 8 at 4:00 pm at the Carbondale and Glenwood Springs Branch Libraries
  • Friday, December 9 at 1:00 pm at the New Castle, Silt, and Rifle Branch Libraries

Pikes Peak Library District is hosting an Hour of Code for their Tween Tech Club on December 9, 2016 from 4:00 to 5:30 pm at the Old Colorado City Library.

Basalt Regional Library has an ongoing Girls Who Code Club, which meets on Tuesdays from 3:45 to 5:15. The club was recently featured in a news story by Aspen Public Radio.

Durango Public Library is offering Minecraft for Tweens and Teens December 7, 2016 at 4:00 pm.  Students can stop in and participate in special building challenges.

This post is part of the Spotlight on Sharing initiative, which aims to increase the visibility of resource sharing in Colorado libraries. Is your library hosting an Hour of Code or Computer Science Education Week event? The Colorado library community would love to hear about it! Email Amy Hitcher, ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org. On Twitter follow @hitchlib and use the hashtag #spotlightonsharing.

Amy Hitchner
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