Free Workshop Offers Intro to Computer Coding for Adults

A free “Introduction to Coding” workshop is designed for beginners, but planned in conjunction with the HackHunterdon event that will draw experienced computer programmers to Hunterdon Central Regional High School on June 9. The one-hour workshop is ideal for adults who are curious about computer coding, but have little or no experience.

The workshop will be taught by Michele Vulcano, recently hired by Hunterdon County Vocational School District (HCVSD) to teach computer science to high school students.

“This workshop is geared toward anyone who has an interest in what coding is and how it can be applied to his or her life,” said Jessica Cangelosi-Hade, Director of Curriculum and Academies for HCVSD. “It may just be for a hobby, or perhaps it could turn them on to a new career.”

When HackHunterdon organizers asked HCVSD to plan the workshop, school leaders turned to Vulcano for the right approach. In the fall she will serve as the instructor for Polytech Career and Technical High School’s Computer Science program, which enrolls juniors and seniors from across the county.

“Introduction to Coding” will take place at Hunterdon Central Regional High School starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 9. That’s the first day of HackHunterdon, a 24-hour product-creation competition for technological innovators. Teams will come together at Central to devise software solutions that address real-world problems. HackHunterdon is organized by Hunterdon County Economic Development, Flemington Community Partnership, and the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce.

Separate from the main event, the “Introduction to Coding” workshop will cover the most popular coding platforms including C, C++, Java, Java Script, and Python, as well as common uses for each one. Every participant should bring a laptop computer to take part in a beginner’s level coding activity.

The workshop can accommodate up to 25 adults, and advance registration is required. Cangelosi-Hade described it as a way for non-coders to get an overview of what coding competitions like HackHunterdon are all about.

Interested participants can register at http://www.ssreg.com/hcpolytech/classes/classes.asp?catID=5621

For more information about HackHunterdon, visit http://www.hackhunterdon.com.

Hunterdon County Polytech Career and Technical School is the largest component of Hunterdon County Vocational School District (HCVSD). Polytech is the district’s shared-time high school that prepares students for a seamless transition to college and career paths. HCVSD also operates an Adult and Continuing Education school and three science-based high school academies. Learn more at www.hcvsd.org.