Feature: Kids Who Code
Kids Who Code
By Brooke Strickland
For kids growing up in today’s world, adapting to technology is an important part of the learning process. Computer coding is one way for students to embrace this technology that our world is increasingly built upon, while developing a lifelong skill and tapping into their creative side. Whether it’s creating a video game or developing a business website, learning the language of computer coding has value that reaches far into the future. Regina McMenomy is a part time instructor at Washington State University Vancouver who also runs a Girls Who Code club for girls ages 12 to 18. She shares that there are countless benefits for kids learning code, including many that go beyond the technology component. “Many of the skills kids learn through coding map to other aspects of life and highlight critical thinking skills,” she says. “With the Girls Who Code Club that I facilitate, the girls learn to work together as a team and how to plan an extensive programming project. Along with the actual coding, the girls learn how to plan and manage a project so they (ideally) have a minimum viable product designed within the time frame of the club. Code is awesome for learning this specific set of skills because mistakes can help them understand how to look back over their work and figure out what went wrong. Often this takes a lot of time and energy, which is true of many situations they would face in life.” In addition to critical thinking and problem-solving skills, kids are able to tap into their creative side with coding projects, giving them
the opportunity to see their visions come to life in a unique way. McMenomy shares that in her experience working with kids and young adults, sometimes the things they see in their head require more time and dedication than they originally planned, and they must learn the proper kind of code to make their vision a reality. “Learning code was empowering for the girls in my club,” she says. “Most came into the club thinking they would finish a few tutorials and learn some basics of coding. Knowing they had to work as a team to plan and execute a project was exciting and intimidating. At the end of the club, they got to show friends and family exactly what they created and share their excitement.” One of the best parts about coding clubs like this in Clark County, is that kids do not need to have any prior experience with coding, so they can simply show up with an interest and jump into learning something new. In fact, when McMenomy first started facilitating the club, she had almost no experience in coding and learned right alongside the kids she was working with. It’s truly something that both adults and kids of all ages can participate in, and several clubs in Clark County encourage adult/parent participation during the meetings. Ashlynn H., a middle school student in the Evergreen School District, shares that she completed a computer tech course at school during her first trimester of seventh grade and one of the continued on next page
Patience
is key in coding, which will
life, both socially and in 18
Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2018
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