Sumter County schools hosted a coding challenge last week designed to give students a fun introduction to computer science.
Known as the Hour of Code, it became a learning event that saw students create their own apps and games using tutorials such as Katy Perry’s Dance Party, Minecraft, Star Wars, The Grinch Saving Christmas with Code and many more popular titles!
All told, more than 4,700 students from all grades in Sumter County completed nearly 7,000 hours of Code. The district’s one-to-one laptop implementation in grades 2-12 made it even easier to get more students involved in the challenge.
Computer science is foundational and every 21st-century student should have the opportunity to learn how to create technology, Sumter school officials said. They also pointed out that the basics of computer science help nurture creativity and problem-solving skills and prepare students for any future career. Teachers and students agreed that coding is a great way to learn conceptual and computational skills.
“This was a great opportunity for students and teachers to try computer science for one hour,” said Superintendent Rick Shirley. “I encourage families to continue the learning by completing another one of the tutorials at home. Anyone can participate and continue the learning beyond the classroom.”
Computing occupations are the fastest-growing, best-paying and now the largest sector of all new wages in the United States. With that in mind, Sumter school officials say every child deserves the opportunity to succeed.
“We were working on a fun game where we had to solve problems and code,” said Bushnell Elementary School student Samantha Vaughan. “It was like a puzzle. We had to figure out how to put things together to make the coding work.”
Her partner in coding, William McKnight added: “I liked how it challenged me. I was able to learn from my mistakes when I coded the wrong way and found easier ways to solve the coding puzzles. It was a lot of fun!”
During the Hour of Code, students in the course shared their coding projects with other classes in the school. As a result, Sumter school officials said, more students have asked to be scheduled in the AP Computer Science Principals course.
Discoveries in Computer Science is a new course available to middle school students at both Wildwood Middle High School and South Sumter Middle School. Teachers of both programs have had extensive training through Code.org and College Board in implementing these courses.
The Hour of Code is a component of the district’s STEM Vision plan to continue to incorporate new and innovative opportunities for students.
