Coding Club by Students for Students

Shorecrest sophomores Aadi Pudur '27 and Carter McCleish '27 launched a weekly Coding Club for Kids offered to interested second through fourth graders who attend aftercare. Since February they have hosted five sessions during which they teach their younger peers about coding using the Smith Center for Innovation makerspace in Charger Commons.

Aadi and Carter are members of the Shorecrest Upper School Robotics Club and were eager to foster an interest in STEAM and robotics in their Lower School peers. Together with advisor Dr. Anna Baralt, Director of Technology and Media Services, they brainstormed working with students in Auxiliary programs. 

"It provided a captive audience while also enhancing the after school program offerings," shared Dr. Baralt. 

The Upper Schoolers piloted a five-week program from February 12-March 13, meeting once each week with second through fourth graders from 3:30-4:30pm.

In the first set of club activities students used Sphero Minis and block code in mazes and obstacle courses. Sphero Minis are small robot balls - about the size of a ping pong ball - with gyroscopes, accelerometers and LED lights. Aadi and Carter taught and modeled the activities using an iPad and whiteboard, then spent time working one-on-one with the students. 

During the pilot program the boys have worked with 12 Lower School students, and most students attended multiple sessions.

Coding Club for Kids has been such a success that Aadi and Carter plan to work with Kindergarten and first grade students after Spring Break.