Select sixth- through eighth-grade students from the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District participated in a Python coding workshop with Arizona State University professor Collin Sellman, Ph.D., at the Science Vortex from Jan. 22 through 24.
Science Vortex Director Laurie Altringer attended the Arizona Rural STEM Summit in Flagstaff last fall, where she met Sellman and discussed a piece of software that he is building with a grant from the National Science Foundation.
Participating students learned the Python coding language and also helped Sellman test his current software project, which aims to make digital learning available to children even if they lack home internet by providing offline training in Python.
“It was super exciting to see the kids learn the basics of Python coding in just two and a half days,” Altringer said. She added that all of the participating students had previous block coding experience and that the workshop was a springboard for them to learn to create things like web pages and games.
One element of the workshop involved students using Python to program a Viam robot to run a course, avoid obstacles and take a photo of a stuffed pigeon. The challenges included keeping the number of lines of code to a minimum and including loops.
“Coding is so important for kids to learn these days,” Altringer said. “Not only does it very effectively instill perseverance and problem-solving, it prepares children for their future careers. With technology advancing so quickly, there is high demand for workers who are able to code. Python coding is the language used by Intel, IBM, NASA, Pixar, Netflix, Facebook, JP Morgan Chase, Spotify and so many other major companies.”
“It is rewarding to see kids learn tools that will open up so many doors for them in the future,” Altringer added. “From my experience, it is remarkable how much quicker kids pick up coding and computer programming compared to adults. So many of their life experiences are digital, whether it is learning in school or playing on devices at home. Hopefully by learning the Python language, kids will be inspired to create digital products and this passion will trump gaming solely as recreation.”
“I am so grateful for the continued collaboration between the Science Vortex, COCSD and ASU,” COCSD Superintendent Steve King said. “It is opportunities like this for our kids that expand their horizons, enrich their lives and give them the vision to create their own futures.”
