Irvington Students Learn Software Programming During 'Hour of Code'

By Michel Ganci

Irvington students in grades 3-12 participated in the Hour of Code, an international event that took place during Computer Science Education Week from Dec. 7-11. The District provided a variety of activities, based on grade level, to its students throughout the week.

Students at Main Street School practiced coding in the computer labs with their classes. Middle and high school students also engaged in coding exercises that exposed them to the science of computer programming as they developed video games. Some of the exercises involved a “Star Wars”-based module called “Building a Galaxy with Code.” At Dows Lane, Jessie Yu, a software engineer from IBM, visited the school to talk to third-graders about computer programming. Following an assembly, Yu worked with several classes in the computer lab and guided the students through their coding exercises.

“It’s important to expose students to what a job in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math is like,” said Yu, adding that she wanted to break the stereotype that computer programming is not for girls. “There’s nothing prohibiting girls from getting into coding.”

While the Hour of Code serves only as an introduction to coding and programming, Yu said she hopes the opportunity will inspire students and spark their interest in computer science.

“Technology is cool because you get to create something that was never created before,” she said. “In computer programming, your imagination is the limit. You can take your creativity and turn it into something that hasn’t been seen before, which can really change the lives of everyone else.”

Students said they enjoyed the opportunity to learn coding, especially since the exercises were designed as games, but they also understood its importance.

“Coding is important because people are now making a lot of technology and if you don’t know how to code, you’re going to have trouble using the technology,” fourth-grader Marcus Canton said. “I would like to learn coding now so I can learn how to make new technology.”

Jesse Lubinsky, the District’s director of technology, said all students were enthusiastic to learn how to code. “The Hour of Code is an excellent jumping off point for our District and we are excited to find more ways to get students coding in the future,” he said.

Photos: Students at Main Street School practiced coding in the computer lab during Hour of Code, an international event that took place from Dec. 7-11. Photo credit Irvington Union Free School District