ing
Granite State kids are learning the language of the future BY KRYSTEN GODFREY MADDOCKS
N
armana Vale started coding in elementary school when her brother introduced her to a block-based coding program called “Scratch.”
In contrast to traditional, text-based programming, block-based coding allows you to drag “blocks” of instructions to create stories, games and animation without typing text commands. In sixth grade, Vale, of Exeter, continued to explore coding through joining the Girls Who Code club at the Wiggin Library in Stratham. Her mom, Sara, started the club, which is a chapter of the national organization focused on introducing middle school girls to the fundamentals of computer coding. “I was interested in how coding was used in the real world. I realized I could create a lot of positive impacts with coding and solve real-world problems with code,” Vale said.
22 www.parentingnh.com | JANUARY 2020