Get ready because it’s time for the Hour of CodeTM 2018 and there is a large number of new coding activities available! The ‘Hour of Code’ is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.
Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify “code”, to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It’s held every year during Computer Science Education Week and has become a worldwide phenomenon celebrating computer science in 180+ countries.
The official dates for Hour of Code are December 3-9, 2018; however, you can participate anytime—the FREE tutorials and activities are available online year-round. It’s easy to get involved and no experience is necessary. You get to decide when you want to host a 1-hour coding activity, and there are opportunities for all ages and experiences levels from beginner to advanced.
- If you are a parent, you will find tutorials and activities you can do at home with your kids.
- If you are a student, you will find hundreds of activities covering a variety of topics (e.g., science, art, music, etc.) using different types of programming languages.
- If you are an educator or run a community organization, you will find tutorials and activities for your class and after-school programs.
What’s New?
The Hour of Code movement has grown significantly over the past few years and I am always delighted to see what the folks at Code.org unveil in the way of new activities. Each year, the platform gets bigger, with more opportunities for students, educators, parents, and anyone interested in hosting an activity at home, in class, or at a community center.
According to Code.org, with over 150 new tutorials, and the ability to filter by grade, experience level, and classroom hardware, everyone can find the perfect activity. They even have new activities that work offline or without computers. Most activities are theme-based and many are centered around TV shows and movies like Star Wars, Harry Potter and Frozen.
Code.org’s featured activity this year is Hour of Code: Dance Party, a tutorial for students to code, get creative, and even dance. Students can choose from 30 hits from well-known artists like Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga and code interactive dance moves and special effects.
There’s also a brand new activity from Code.org and Microsoft for Minecraft fans: Minecraft Voyage Aquatic.
Organize Your Event
If you want to organize an event at your school, in your community or even at home, register on the Hour of Code website. Again, no experience is needed. The website provides everything you need to run an event including a step-by-step guide on how to select a tutorial and teach Hour of Code.
Although the official Hour of Code runs one week a year, anyone can host an Hour of Code at any time. The online tutorials are available year round. Happy Coding!
