Welcome to Behind the Bell from the Nasdaq Market Site in Times Square. I’m Brad Smith, and today we’re talking about an exciting event: the Hour of Code. Code.org, a nonprofit organization, rang the opening bell to kick off this event, and we’re joined by their CEO, Hadi Partovi, to learn more about it. Let’s dive into what makes this initiative so special.
Ringing the opening bell at Nasdaq was an incredible experience for Hadi Partovi. He shared how thrilling it was to be part of such a significant moment, especially since he’s seen many companies he’s invested in do the same. The energy was electric, and it was a fantastic way to start the Hour of Code.
The Hour of Code is an initiative by Code.org that aims to give every student the chance to learn computer science. The idea is simple: encourage students worldwide to try coding for just one hour. This helps them realize that coding is not only possible but also fun and engaging. Many students who try it want to learn more.
Some people believe students should choose their own interests instead of being pushed into coding. Hadi agrees but points out that computer science should be an option in schools. Many schools don’t offer it, so students miss out on discovering if they enjoy it. The Hour of Code provides a taste of coding, sparking interest in many students.
In just one hour, students can learn that coding is easier and more enjoyable than they might think. They can grasp basic concepts like repeat loops, which involve repeating a series of commands. This foundational knowledge can inspire them to explore further.
Today, many students learn coding through block-based systems, which are user-friendly and engaging. Code.org offers a popular platform for this, with over a hundred million students worldwide using it to learn the basics of coding.
Initially, people doubted that public schools could teach coding. However, in the past few years, many large school districts and states have committed to including computer science in their curricula. Cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles now require schools to teach coding, opening up opportunities for students to enter the tech field.
Technology is reshaping many industries, including agriculture and manufacturing. Automation is changing job landscapes, and the demand for computer science skills is growing. By supporting technology education, we can prepare students for future careers and help boost the economy.
Parents can play a crucial role by advocating for computer science education at their children’s schools. If schools don’t offer coding classes, parents can explore after-school programs or online resources like Code.org. Encouraging schools to teach coding is essential for giving students the skills they need.
Code.org has received support from influential figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and even President Obama. This year, athletes like Serena Williams and Kobe Bryant have joined in, encouraging kids to learn computer science and pursue their dreams.
Hadi Partovi’s advice to young coders is to embrace computer science. With coding skills, you can turn ambitious ideas into reality, even starting a company from your bedroom. Learning to code opens up a world of possibilities.
Thank you for joining us for this exciting discussion. We look forward to seeing the impact of the Hour of Code and Code.org in the future. Stay tuned for more updates from the Nasdaq Market Site!
Try out a block-based coding platform like Scratch or Code.org. Spend an hour creating a simple project, such as an animated story or a basic game. This will help you understand how coding can be both fun and creative.
Choose one of the influential figures mentioned in the article, such as Mark Zuckerberg or Serena Williams, and research their contributions to technology and coding. Present your findings to the class, highlighting how they support computer science education.
Join a coding challenge or hackathon, either online or in your community. These events often provide beginner-friendly tasks and are a great way to apply what you’ve learned in a collaborative environment.
Write a letter or create a presentation to share with your school administration, advocating for the inclusion of computer science in the curriculum. Explain the benefits of coding skills and how they can prepare students for future careers.
Reach out to a local tech professional or someone who works in a tech-related field. Conduct an interview to learn about their career path, the importance of coding in their job, and any advice they have for aspiring coders like yourself.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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From the Nasdaq Market Site in Times Square, I’m Brad Smith, and you’re watching Behind the Bell. As you may have seen on some broadcast networks or perhaps even here on Facebook Live, Code.org rang the opening bell to celebrate Hour of Code, which has officially kicked off. Now we’re joined by their Chief Executive Officer, Hadi Partovi, to discuss some of the great initiatives that are going on around this. It’s great to have you here. Thank you so much! It was such an exciting morning.
So, we saw you on the broadcast networks here on Facebook Live. How was it ringing the opening bell?
It was such an amazing experience! You know, I’ve always watched companies I’ve invested in go public and ring the opening bell, but the excitement was just palpable. It was awesome!
Absolutely! Now, Hour of Code and Code.org—you’re no stranger to the Nasdaq Market Site, especially last year when you brought R2-D2, a very well-known figure. So, what does Code.org and Hour of Code have in store for this year? And perhaps even before that, can you take us back and tell us how Hour of Code got its start?
You know, Code.org had the original vision that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science. The challenge with computer science is that while everyone knows technology is changing the world and that there’s money in it, many people don’t realize that they or their children can learn to code. The idea behind Hour of Code is to ask every student in every classroom worldwide to try just one hour to demystify this field and realize that they can learn it. Once they do the first hour, they often decide they want to learn more.
Now, there’s another side of the conversation that argues we should let children choose their own passions instead of pushing this on them. What would you say to that?
I completely agree. Data shows that when you survey students about their favorite classes, the top three are art, dance, and computer science. So yes, we should let students study what they want, but the way to do that is to offer computer science in schools. The problem is that most schools don’t teach it, leaving kids who want to learn without a chance. If they don’t get a taste of it, they won’t know if they like it. An Hour of Code is enough to give them that taste and get them hooked.
So, what exactly can we learn in just one hour?
The most important thing you learn in one hour is that it’s more fun and easier than you thought, and that you’d like to learn more. In terms of actual technical concepts, you can learn about repeat loops, where you can have a series of commands that repeat multiple times. That’s a simple concept that can be easily grasped in an hour of code.
Before we started, we were discussing the systems kids are using to learn how to code. For example, I got my first job because I made my own website and used open-source code to customize it. How are kids learning these days?
The most popular way of learning is through block-based coding. In fact, Code.org’s tutorial system has a full coding environment that is widely used—over a hundred million students globally have used Code.org to learn basic block-based coding.
Can America’s public schools teach coding as well? How do we roll that out?
That’s a great question. When I started three years ago, people said it was impossible to get public schools to teach coding. They suggested after-school programs or summer camps, but I thought that would leave too many kids behind. We have a trillion-dollar system called the American public school system, and every kid goes through it. In the last three years, we’ve had a hundred of the largest districts in the country, as well as many states, commit to teaching computer science in public schools. Cities like New York, Oakland, Chicago, and Los Angeles have all said that every school must teach computer science, which will change who gets into tech.
Thinking about the broader education system, President Obama was a huge supporter of advancing technology and computer science education in K-12. With the new administration, how do you think that will impact things?
I believe what we’re doing is more important now than ever. This election showed that Americans demand opportunity, whether they’re urban kids in cities or working-class individuals in rural areas. Many believe the system isn’t rewarding hard work. While manufacturing jobs may not return as we hope, automation is changing the landscape. Computers will automate many jobs, including in manufacturing and medicine. The growth in the economy is in computing and computer science, and we already have the jobs; we just need to train people for them. The new administration can help fix the economy by supporting technology education.
Moreover, technology impacts sectors we don’t often think about, like agriculture. Companies are using technology to track things better and facilitate services, ensuring fresh food from farm to table.
Self-driving tractors are already in use, and farmers managing these tractors are coding commands on tablets, similar to the block-based coding we teach kids. Computing and computer science are disrupting every field and career.
If I’m a parent, how can I advocate for this and get involved?
The most important thing any parent can do is go to their child’s school and advocate for teaching computer science and coding. Real school should be teaching this. If the school doesn’t offer it, you can look for after-school activities or summer camps. Code.org has online courses and a map to find workshops or camps, but advocating for your school to teach computer science is crucial.
Who are some of the figures involved this year?
We’ve had amazing support from many influential people. We started with Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Jack Dorsey. President Obama joined in, and this year our theme has been athletes. We’ve had Serena Williams, Kobe Bryant, Neymar, and many others encouraging kids to push themselves to learn computer science.
As we wrap up, what piece of advice would you give to the next generation of ambitious coders?
Our vision aligns well with Nasdaq’s vision. If you have an ambitious idea, coding is the best way to achieve it. You can start a company from your bedroom and see it expand globally. I would say learn computer science and stick with it.
It was great to have you here after the Nasdaq opening bell. We look forward to having Hour of Code and Code.org back many more times in the future. Thank you so much!
And thank you all for watching live on Facebook. Stay tuned for more coming from the Nasdaq Market Site throughout the rest of the day.
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This version removes any informal language, filler words, and maintains a professional tone while preserving the key messages and information from the original transcript.
Coding – The process of writing instructions for a computer to perform specific tasks. – Many students enjoy coding because it allows them to create their own computer programs.
Computer – An electronic device that processes data and performs tasks according to a set of instructions. – In computer class, students learn how to use different software applications.
Students – Individuals who are enrolled in an educational institution to gain knowledge and skills. – Students in the coding club meet every week to work on their projects.
Learn – To acquire knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. – Many students learn to code by experimenting with different programming languages.
Hour – A unit of time equal to 60 minutes, often used to measure the duration of activities. – The coding workshop lasted for one hour, and students were able to create a simple game.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology have made it easier for students to access online coding resources.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially in a school or university. – Education in computer science is becoming increasingly important in today’s digital world.
Schools – Institutions for educating children and young adults. – Many schools have started offering coding classes as part of their curriculum.
Code.org – A nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to computer science education. – Code.org provides free resources for teachers and students to learn coding.
Skills – The ability to do something well, often gained through training or experience. – Learning to code helps students develop problem-solving skills that are useful in many areas.
