Tech Camps at the Library
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This document outlines a proposal for hosting coding camps at libraries to teach kids software development skills. It notes that proficiency in coding at a young age helps with problem solving and STEM skills. Libraries are well-suited to host low or no-cost camps using open source tools like Scratch, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi. The camps could teach skills through projects and expose kids to potential tech careers with growing job prospects and pay. Partnerships with local schools and tech groups could help promote and support the camps.
Tech Camps at the Library
- 1. Tech Camps at the Library Nicole C. Engard
- 2. Why Kids Should Code • Give kids a head start in coding because: • Proficiency and fluency learned early on can help with problem solving and independent thinking • It’s the foundation and building block for all STEM • Early success is needed for strong algebra skills and higher level math & science classes
- 4. Careers in Software Dev http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm
- 6. We Need More Experts • Demand is there, but supply is not • There were only 48,700 undergraduate computer science graduates from accredited US universities in 2014. • In 2015, the coding bootcamp market was estimated to grow by 2.4x, to an estimated 16,056 graduates in 2015, up from 6,740 in 2014.
- 7. What Can We Do? • Libraries are known for their programming to help educate their communities • Coding camps for kids (like Bootcamps for adults) can get more people interested in software development • For little or no cost you can host these camps to teach software development and/or robotics
- 8. Not A Programmer? Stencyl and Scratch make it easy
- 9. Coding Tools • Scratch (scratch.mit.edu) • Tynker (www.tynker.com) • Stencyl (www.stencyl.com) • Greenfoot (www.greenfoot.org) • Blocky Games (blockly-games.appspot.com/)
- 10. Let’s Play!!!
- 11. Circuit Tools • LittleBits (littlebits.cc) • LilyPad Arduino (lilypadarduino.org) • Snap Circuits (www.snapcircuits.net) • Circuits Scribe (www.electroninks.com)
- 12. Robotics Tools • Finch (www.finchrobot.com) • Hummingbird robotics kit (hummingbirdkit.com) • Raspberry Pi (bit.ly/1UgmoTl) • Arduino (bit.ly/22l22gO) • VEX (www.vexrobotics.com) • Lego Mindstorms (mindstorms.lego.com)
- 13. For Toddlers • Code-a-pillar www.fisher-price.com/codeapillar/ • Cubetto www.primotoys.com
- 14. Potential Projects • Create a website • Create a story in Scratch • Create a light up monster with the Lilypad • Build your own Lego robot • What are you ideas?
- 15. Possible Languages • HTML/CSS • Javascript • Python • Ruby • MySQL
- 16. Costs • Computers or tablets for each student (already in the library or BYOD) • Open source software for programming ($0) • A trainer ($0-$100/hr) • Hardware ($16/e LilyPad Arduino, $200/e LittleBits Kit, $36/e Raspberry Pi, $99/e The Finch) • Misc tools and supplies ($200-$1000)
- 17. Volunteers / Donations • Find volunteers using Idealist, VolunteerMatch, AllForGood or other such sites • Request donations on sites like GoFundMe or YouCaring • Create an Amazon wish list for your organization (for example: http://amzn.com/w/NF8ABQSCGRDI) • Of course you can just ask!
- 18. Structure • One Off: Have a project for everyone in attendance • Hackathon: Have an 8 -12 hour event • Over time: Have a project a day (every few days) or have a goal that has to be completed in a period of time. This might be a robotics or coding club. • Look in to starting a Dojo : coderdojo.com
- 19. Promotion • Many conferences offer free tables to non profits • Meetup.com • Social media • Local universities and colleges • Partnerships • Swag
- 20. Partnerships • Talk to : • coding/tech/stem groups/meetups • area tech companies • coding bootcamps • maker/tech shops • schools with stem programs
- 21. Final Tips • Write a code of conduct • Have parent’s permission (note any security risks) • Take into account level of experience of attendees • Offer different levels of events if necessary • Create tutorials (Guide on the Side) • Create evaluations (LimeSurvey)
- 22. Additional Resources • Free coding courses for kids : http://bit.ly/22mSqPk • Choosing a summer coding camp : http://bit.ly/1PcklrF • 45 places to learn to code for free : http://bit.ly/1Vd58xQ • 12 sites to learn to code for free : http://entm.ag/1ROFyK7 • Cool products for teaching kids to code : http://huff.to/ 1pM1bV9 • Teach your kids to code : http://edut.to/1R3E9je