Coding is a unique and powerful skill. It involves examining the code you have and figuring out how to improve it. This process requires perseverance, critical thinking, and creativity, allowing you to explore new possibilities. My collaboration with code.org stems from my passion for coding, which I wanted to share with my students, especially those who have struggled with math in the past.
When I was in high school, I became a father at 17. This life-changing event motivated me to pursue a degree, not just for myself, but for my son. I chose to study secondary education with a focus on business education. Initially, it was a way to earn a living, but I couldn’t stop thinking about my community and other tribal communities. Returning to the community where I grew up is part of a cycle we often discuss.
Nevada has historically low math test scores, and I realized we needed to rethink how we teach math. The existing curriculum was rigid, so I sought alternative ways to make math fun and engaging. I discovered that coding and computer science are closely linked to math concepts, which led me to code.org.
Code.org aims to provide every student in every school with the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their basic education. Our team creates excellent online courses and trains teachers to deliver these courses in schools. We launched the Hour of Code campaign, encouraging students to try coding for just one hour. Our platform now has over 80 million students worldwide.
For me, coding is all about creativity—imagining something and using code to bring it to life. I’ve seen students dive into coding from day one. The best feedback is when students say, “This is easy.” While coding isn’t inherently easy, they make it feel that way. With the rise of artificial intelligence, teaching computer science is more crucial than ever, as AI will transform many aspects of our lives. Everyone should learn this as part of their education.
Code.org is a nonprofit organization, supported by generous donations from companies like Cisco. I work as a product manager for the K-5 curriculum, and my favorite part of the job is visiting classrooms to see our work in action. I developed the Star Quilt module with a teacher from a reservation in Montana. The Star Quilt, representing the Morning Star, is a beautiful way to teach students about pattern recognition, a key math concept.
Seeing the Star Quilts and students creating digital versions was a profound experience. This module blends traditional and modern learning in a remarkable way. It’s a privilege to think about the number of children whose lives will be changed thanks to code.org and our efforts.
Technology is essential for solving many of the challenges we face today. Teaching students how to create technology is crucial for the futures they want to build. Coding is vital for anyone interested in computer science, and I believe what code.org is doing is truly incredible.
Start by participating in an “Hour of Code” session. Visit the Code.org website and choose a beginner-friendly coding activity. This will give you a hands-on introduction to coding and help you understand its fundamental concepts.
Using a simple coding platform like Scratch, design your own digital Star Quilt. This activity will help you learn about pattern recognition and creativity in coding, while also connecting with cultural traditions.
Work on a project that combines math and coding. For example, create a program that solves a math problem or visualizes a mathematical concept. This will help you see the connections between these subjects and enhance your problem-solving skills.
Conduct a research project on how artificial intelligence is transforming various industries. Present your findings to the class, highlighting the importance of learning coding and computer science in today’s world.
Organize a coding workshop for younger students or community members. Teach them basic coding skills and share your passion for technology. This will reinforce your own understanding and inspire others to explore coding.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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[Music] Coding is very special to me. You have to find a way to look at the code you have and fix it. Concepts like perseverance, critical thinking, and creativity allow minds to explore the unimaginable. My partnership with code.org was founded on my passion for coding, which I knew I could apply to my elementary students who have historically struggled in math.
[Music] When I was a senior in high school, I became a teen dad at 17. I used my situation as motivation to pursue a degree, not for myself, but for my son. I majored in secondary education with an emphasis in business education. Initially, it was just a job to pay the bills, but I kept thinking about my community back home and other tribal communities.
Returning to the community I was raised in is part of the cycle we often discuss. The state of Nevada has very low math test scores, and I knew we needed to address math education. The existing curriculum at the time couldn’t be modified, so I had to step back and think of alternative ways to introduce math concepts in a fun and engaging manner. I recognized that coding and computer science have a strong connection to math concepts, which is where code.org came in.
[Music] The goal of code.org is for every student in every school to have the opportunity to learn computer science as part of a basic education. Our team focuses on creating excellent online courses and training existing teachers to teach these courses in their schools. We launched a campaign called the Hour of Code, encouraging students to learn coding for just one hour in the classroom. Our learning platform now has over 80 million students.
To me, coding is fundamentally about creativity—imagining something and using the language of code to bring that imagination to life. I witnessed students engaging hands-on from day one. The best feedback is when students say, “This is easy.” Technically, it’s not easy, but they make it feel that way. With the rise of artificial intelligence, teaching computer science in schools is more important than ever, as AI will change many aspects of our lives. Everyone should learn this as part of their education.
The work of code.org, as a nonprofit, is made possible by the generous donations from companies like Cisco, which have supported us for many years.
[Music] I work at code.org as a product manager for the K-5 curriculum. My favorite part of the job is visiting classrooms and seeing our creations in action. I developed the Star Quilt module with a teacher from a reservation in Montana, who showed me the beautiful Star Quilts. I realized it was a great way to teach students about pattern recognition, which is part of the math standards. The Star Quilt represents the Morning Star, one of the most powerful stars in the sky, symbolizing the crossing over between life and death.
Seeing the Star Quilts displayed and the students working on their digital versions was a profound experience. The depth of this module, both in real life and digitally, was astonishing.
I would like the students to present this gift of appreciation to Amy for her visit and the work she is doing with code.org. This experience was incredible, blending the old and the new in a remarkable way. It’s a privilege to think about the number of children whose lives will be changed thanks to code.org and our efforts.
Technology is key to addressing many of the challenges we face, and teaching students how to create that technology is essential for the futures they want to build. Coding is very important for any student interested in pursuing a computer science-related field, and I believe what code.org is doing is truly incredible.
[Music]
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This version removes any personal identifiers and emotional expressions while maintaining the core message and content of the original transcript.
Coding – The process of writing instructions for a computer to execute, using a programming language. – Learning coding helps students develop problem-solving skills by creating algorithms to solve complex tasks.
Math – The abstract science of number, quantity, and space, used in various applications such as coding and engineering. – Understanding math is essential for developing algorithms that efficiently process data in computer programs.
Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to create something, often applied in developing innovative coding solutions. – Creativity in coding allows developers to design unique software that meets specific user needs.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially in a school or university setting, often including subjects like coding and mathematics. – Education in coding equips students with the skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven world.
Curriculum – The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college, often including coding and mathematics. – The curriculum for computer science includes both theoretical and practical aspects of coding.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry, including the development of software and hardware. – Advances in technology have made coding an integral part of modern education.
Students – Individuals who are studying at a school or college, often learning subjects like coding and mathematics. – Students who learn coding in high school are better prepared for careers in technology fields.
Computer – An electronic device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form, according to instructions given to it in a variable program. – Understanding how a computer processes code is fundamental to developing efficient software applications.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment, often including disciplines like computer science. – Computer science combines principles of mathematics and logic to solve problems through coding.
Patterns – Repeated designs or recurring sequences, often used in coding to identify trends or optimize algorithms. – Recognizing patterns in data can help programmers develop more efficient algorithms.
