Knodemy Launches Innovative Program In Livermore

LIVERMORE, CA: In April, the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District launched a partnership with Knodemy, an education technology company, to teach computer coding to students in after school programs at Junction K-8 School.

Knodemy, a Livermore-based start-up company will provide students enrolled in two after-school programs with a new kind of remote-learning opportunity. Students in grades 4-8 will participate in hour-long sessions once per week for six weeks with instructors from Knodemy. Using individual chrome books, students will learn computer programming and web concepts utilizing programs including Scratch, a coding platform that allows students to create their own stories, games, and animations.

The Livermore BELIEVES (Broadens & Enriches Lives, Instills Educational Values, Encourages Students) program will host this new remote-learning partnership. BELIEVES is a free after school program open to all Junction students in grades 1-5.

Participants attend daily until 6 p.m. and receive homework support, snack, supper, and enrichment opportunities on a daily basis. The PAL program, which is the grades 6-8 program at Junction that will offer the Knodemy coursework, is run in partnership with the Livermore Area Recreation and Parks District (LARPD).

“Its an exciting development for our after school programming” says Kim Farrand, Administrator on Special Assignment. Ms. Farrand championed this partnership and coordinated its implementation. “All trends indicate that online learning will continue to play an ever more integral role in the education of our students.”

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) remain key focus areas for the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. “The career opportunities that are available to students with skills in the STEM areas often include high paying, high demand jobs,” says Amy Robbins, Director of Curriculum. “By introducing elementary and middle school aged students to these new activities through the partnership with Knodemy, students will develop new skills and deeper understanding in order to be prepared to maximize the opportunities available at the high school level.”

Livermore, which is known for its lively viticulture and agriculture economy, is also becoming a new hub for technology companies and manufacturing.

“It’s great for Livermore that the School District can partner with a local start-up company to implement this program,” says Regina Brinker, STEM Coordinator for the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. “Many innovative companies and technologies are being developed right here in Livermore through the two National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore and Sandia, as well as through the iGate innovation hub and incubator located right in the heart of downtown.”

Announcement submitted by Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District

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