How our Coding Camp Got Started
Last summer we introduced kids to the world of programming (also known as coding) using the Scratch visual programming language. With the release of Scratch 3.0 earlier this year, last summer’s posts have unfortunately become obsolete. We analyzed Scratch 3.0 and discussed its new features in our Scratch 3.0 Redesign Mystery, but we knew it was only a matter of time before we’d have to update last summer’s Scratch tutorials. We took a step back, thought about what we really hoped to offer you and your kids, and knew a single post wasn’t going to work. After a productive brainstorming session, we came up with our new STEM Detective Lab Coding Camp. You can access the coding camp using the drop-down menu located at the right-hand side of our site’s top menu bar. It’s a work in progress, but a very fun work in progress.
It will take time to build our Coding Camp from the ground up, so we’ve decided to work exclusively on camp material for the rest of the summer. If you’ve found our site, please check back from time to time as we plan on adding new material as fast as we can create it. We’re glad you’ve found us, and hope to keep you coming back. You can contact us with your email address if you’d like to join our mailing list. We’ve including a brief description of the areas we hope to work on this summer. Let us know if you’d like information for specific areas only, or for all new materials.
Thank you for your patience and have a great summer,
STEM Detective Lab
Scratch Coding Camp
Scratch is a free graphical programming language and online community created by the MIT Media Lab. It was designed to help kids learn how to program visually with blocks that snap together to create groups of instructions, known as scripts. These scripts will control objects, known as sprites. It was originally designed for kids ages 8-16, but it’s now used by people of all ages.
Our Scratch Coding Camp will introduce your kids to the basics of Scratch before helping them create their own games, animation, and more.
Python Coding Camp
Python is a high-level programming language that has a simple, easy to learn syntax. It’s the perfect text-based language to start your kids on because your kids will be able to use Python to control robots, create Raspberry Pi projects, and even control Minecraft with Python scripts.
Our Python Coding Camp will start with the basics of text-based programming. Once we have the basics covered we hope to design projects at different difficulty levels so there’s something for all of your kids.
Robotics
Not only is robotics a fun way to strengthen your kid’s programming skills, but working with robots can also help develop stronger problem-solving skills and creativity.
Our Robotics Camp will start with Anki’s Cozmo robot. Anki did an amazing job creating three levels of programming options with Cozmo. Their Code Lab contains easy, beginner blocks for younger kids and a Scratch programming environment for older kids. They also designed a Python SDK for more advanced programmers.
Note: Whether you already own a Cozmo bot or not, we recommend you read our Future of Anki’s Cozmo Robot Mystery, because Anki had to shut down their business back in May.