Hour of Code features Guest Experts

Shorecrest Preparatory School’s Lower and Middle Schools participated in the worldwide initiative Hour of Code, which is a one-hour introduction to computer science designed to demystify code and demonstrate that anyone can learn it. 

As part of their Hour of Code lesson (which actually lasted throughout the week), fourth graders had the opportunity to Skype with Shon Stafford. Mr. Stafford is Mrs. Oman's cousin, and he is a web developer for Marbles Media in Atlanta.

Fourth graders began the week by looking at the world around them and wondering what they use and see that requires coding. Classes discussed what coding is and even spent some time practicing some simple coding on coding.org. Each student then had the opportunity to generate a thoughtful question about coding before the scheduled call.

Some outstanding questions after the Skype interview were posed to Shorecrest's own web master, Raffi Darrow. She shared how she hacked computer games in grade school, first started coding HTML in college, and showed the class the code that makes Shorecrest.org work.

Thanks so much to Mr. Granese, Carson's dad, for coming to talk to the third grade about coding and computer programming. Mr. Granese showed students how to write code to create a website, explained how the internet works (it's complicated!), and taught us the name of the language computers use to communicate with one another - binary! The third graders were enthralled and so excited to learn more. What a great way to end Hour of Code week!

Parents were also introduced to coding this week in several opportunities presented by the technology instructors, and poked around the Makerspace with TLC during a special Make-To-Learn Lunch.

“Our time commitment to Hour of Code is a statement that Shorecrest is ready to teach these foundational 21st century skills. To continue bringing programming activities to your students, we want to make our Hour of Code event expansive. This is a chance to change the future of education!” says Nicole St. Amand, Lower School Director of Innovation and Technology. 

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Watch third grade get introduced to Hour of Code activities in this video.

About Hour of Code 
Hour of Code is a global initiative to teach people about coding. Anyone can host an Hour of Code anytime, but the grassroots campaign goal is for tens of millions of students to try an Hour of Code during December 7-13, in celebration of Computer Science Education Week. Hour of Code believes that every student should have the opportunity to learn computer science. It helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st-century career path. For more information visit https://hourofcode.com/us.