Category Archives: Education

Education

Out of the Box Ideas to Help Improve Your Child’s Writing

Regardless of your child’s future educational or career goals, there’s no question that being able to clearly, concisely, and compellingly write is a skill that will serve them well in school, work, and their entire life. Being able to write clearly reflects the fact that a child is able to think clearly. Many parents just have their kids write something every day, but at CodeREV Kids, we’re always looking for unique ways to get kids motivated. Here are some of the out of the box ideas we’ve come up with.

Visit the grandparents

Before teaching your child how to write things down on paper, they first must understand how a story is told well and organically. The stories older folks can tell are truly amazing! Take your child to an elder and prompt that elder to tell a unique story. Afterwards, sit down with your child and have them re-tell the story. Give them constructive ideas on what they could have left out or added in to make the story more compelling or clearer.

Get a pen pal

One of the things we’ve learned at CodeREV Kids is that kids will learn better and absorb more information when it’s not just told to them but when they’re learning it in a hand’s-on environment. If you want your kids to learn to write more clearly, then get them writing about something they’re interested in. There are all sorts of pen pal programs out there that can pair up your kids with a child down the street or across the world.

Boost their confidence

In many cases, the issues with writing come from a child lacking confidence. They don’t think they’re a good writer and so they’re afraid to try, or they don’t think they have anything unique or interesting to say and so they’re afraid to pick up a pen. When you change the focus to something like coding classes, your child will experience a boost in confidence. They’ll also get a better understanding of the many different types of creativity out there.

Are you ready to get your kid ready for the rest of their life? If so, CodeREV Kids is just the partner you need. Check out our classes online, sign up for options at your own pace, or give us a call for advice on what will work best for your kid.

Education

Why Are STEM Based Projects So Popular in Schools?

If you’ve been in an advanced classroom recently then you’ve likely seen some hands-on STEM based experiments going on. But why is the demand for STEM so popular, seemingly all of a sudden? Why is this acronym, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, now a part of a parent’s vocabulary? CodeREV Kids is here to help it all make sense.

STEM does a lot for kids

It’s not a coincidence that classrooms across the country are embracing STEM. It helps increase a kid’s ability to solve problems, it encourages active learning, and it keeps kids engaged. The skills it teaches are crucial for success in the 21st century, and it’s a way to get kids involved in not just a single subject but at least two at a time – which teaches kids not just what they need to know but why they need to know it.

There’s a huge demand for STEM workers

According to the latest stats from the Department of Labor, there will be almost 1.5 million new information technology jobs by 2020. Not only is the demand for these jobs high, but these are jobs that may more than average. Of course, not all STEM jobs are the same – the Department of Labor predicts that the best and most in-demand jobs will be in engineering and technology.

It’s not all about jobs

No matter what career a field a child decides to go into later down the line, most parents want their children to be scientifically literate. They want them to know the difference between a fact and an opinion. They want them to be able to research and figure out what’s real and what’s not.

Project-based learning is important

In many cases, STEM-based classes are project based, which has gotten an increasingly good rep as the best way to teach kids. When kids learn via project-based learning, they don’t just memorize facts, they actually learn how to apply their new skills to real life situations. The types of classes offered by CodeREV Kids helps improve project planning skills, collaboration, and communication – all of which are useful skills for kids to have.

If you’re interested in getting your kids involved in STEM-based, hands-on learning, then it’s time to reach out to CodeREV Kids! We offer tons of class options and are happy to speak with you if you need help deciding what the best classes for your kids would be.

Education

What is STEM and Why is it So Important to Kids?

A recent study by the U.S. Department of commerce shows that occupations involving STEM are growing at 17%. Other occupations? They’re growing at less than 10%. People who have a degree in a STEM field have a higher income than those who are involved in other careers. In fact, science, technology, engineering, and math workers are not only currently playing an essential role in sustaining the U.S. economy, but they will remain a critical component well into the future.

STEM education creates more than you may think

Many parents are surprised to learn that STEM education does a lot more than they think. In fact, it can boost science literacy, create kids who think critically, and enable an entire generation to be more than workers but to be innovators. Innovation is a necessary part of a continually growing economy. It’s clear from stats and observation that most future jobs will require at least a basic understanding of science and math.

What exactly is STEM?

STEM is an acronym that stands in for “science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It’s an essential part of everything we do every day. Science is all around us, technology is quickly expanding into every aspect of daily life, engineering is the basic foundation for roads, bridges, and taking on environmental concerns, and mathematics is used in every job and in every activity we do.

When students are exposed to STEM and given the chance to really explore concepts related to STEM, they’re more likely to take a deep interest and may end up pursuing a job in STEM. Programs like those CodeREV Kids offers gives them a chance to get involved in a hands-on way that can unleash a passion for learning you didn’t know was there. We strive to make math and science not just subjects to memorize, but important concepts that are fun and interesting.

Why is STEM so important?

The National Science Foundation is on record stating that in the 21st century, science and technology have become more important than ever before. As the world becomes more globalized, and the economy focuses more on knowledge than labor, kids will need STEM skills to succeed. Remember that STEM classes can help kids be more creative, to be better problem solvers, and to learn how to engage in the world around them instead of simply memorizing facts.

Education

How Can We Best Prepare Kids for the World of Tomorrow?

Every parent wants to prepare their child for their future but in today’s world, it can feel more complicated than ever. At CodeREV Kids, we believe that before we can figure out how to best prepare kids for the future, we must consider what the future will actually look like.

Kids are growing up in a world that wants their attention 24/7

Think about how many sounds you hear every day, just from your cell phone. With its dings, vibrations, and ringing, you can see that the world is simply trying to gain our attention all the time. While you may wish for a different world, this is the reality. Kids must be taught to cope with a world that wants their attention all the time. Remember that for many of us, this is a new novelty but for kids it’s the way it’s always been.

Kids are growing up in a world where communication is done through technology

Do you teach your kids manners for real life situations? Of course you do – it’s been common practice for centuries. Yet many parents don’t think about teaching their kids manners online. They need to know they’re expected to be honest and kind, whether in real life or online. A lot of this is taught by the way you act. Kids notice more than you think.

Kids are growing up in a world that’s driven by technology

Technology gives a lot to kids, but it can also come with negative aspects. You don’t want technology to totally consume your child’s life, but you do want to be prepared for the real world. What do you do? At CodeREV Kids, we have a lot of solutions for you! You can start by making sure that their screen time is put to good use. Check out the classes we offer and let us turn technology from a negative to a positive.

Kids are growing up in a world with endless information – and not all of it is accurate

Kids are growing up in a world where any piece of information they want is available at their fingertips. There’s just one problem: It’s not always accurate information. Do your kids know how to find the truth? Do they know what steps to take to verify any source? These are things kids must learn if they’re going to be contributing members of society.

Education

Think Only Boys Like Robotics? Think Again

At CodeREV Kids we see it all the time: parents who are surprised that girls can be into robots too. The truth is that one of our goals is to promote STEM-learning for all kids – both boys and girls. A recent article in the Belleville News-Democrat, O’Fallon Girl Scouts reach out to youth with robotics camp, made us proud of the girls involved.

13 girls from a local O’Fallon Girl Scout troop formed a group called Oops! Robotics, and managed to qualify for state competitions in both Missouri and Illinois in 2015. Now they’re getting involved in several youth robotics programs in STEM camps in Edwardsville and Belleville.

The Oops! Robotics team was created by the O’Fallon Girl Scouts and has girls from several schools involved. The group has gotten very involved in community service too – in fact, just last year they gave more than 1,100 hours to their community. Kids that are high school now began the program in 6th grade, and are now able to get involved in outreach to bring other kids in.

The purpose of the camps has always been to reach out to all youth, though they do focus more on girls than boys. This team is unlike other similar teams because there are girls from six different Girl Scout troops, three cities, and five schools. The result is a great mix of kids with unique skill sets to bring to the group.

One 18 year old has stated that she intends to continue focusing on STEM subjects – she’s majoring in bio engineering. Why? Because she got involved with STEM when she was young, she says. It helped her with problem solving and helped her get excited about robotics and other STEM based skills. She wants to help other girls get involved and encourage them to follow their interest.

While it’s great to see so many girls involved, it’s important to keep in mind that in the Belleville weeklong camp that was held in July, only four of the 25 kids in attendance were girls. The program wants girls to know that it’s okay to be interested in robotics and other STEM platforms and at CodeREV Kids we want to encourage that as well. That’s why we offer STEM classes for a variety of ages – including coding for kids as young as six years old.

Coding Education, Education

The Robot Coding Teacher?

Everyone is looking for the best way to impart coding education on kids. Obviously, there is no substitute for quality mentoring. Nonetheless, new innovations are helping to fill in the gaps for people throughout the world. Consider a recent article for Yahoo News titled “A robot to teach kids coding.”

Ben Gruber of Yahoo News writes, “A robot named Root has been developed to expose kids of all ages to coding in a way that brings the often daunting world of computer science to life. Root looks like a smoke detector but is actually a sophisticated robot. A magnetic surface, wheels, and an impressive arsenal of sensors allow it to navigate a classroom whiteboard. But Root isn’t actually programed to do anything. Its tasks and functionality hinge on a child’s imagination. The robot is capable of driving and drawing as well as playing music, but Root needs instructions to operate, a line of code. Zivthan Dubrovsky of Harvard’s Wyss Institute recalls testing out Root with kids for the first time. ‘If you ask kids can you make a text based java script line follower? They go ‘no that’s hard, can’t do that’, but we can put level one in front of them and they can do it in minutes,’ he said. Using a tablet wirelessly connected to the robot, level one introduces kids to the principles of programing using an interface of simple commands and pictures. As they become more adept, they jump to levels 2 and 3, at which point writing computer code becomes second nature, according to Dubrovsky. He says getting kids interested in the abstract world of programming isn’t easy, but thinks Root can help with that. ‘We are not trying to create a fun toy where you are just making a racing game. We are going to figure out how to make the racing game and that is going to be a lot of work, a lot of perhaps negative energy. But then there is so much positive energy at the end that it is worth the effort,’ he added.”

If you are looking for the best in customized coding education, your best bet is CodeRev Kids. At CodeRev Kids, our lessons focus on computational thinking, which encompasses a wide variety of programming languages and concepts.

Our lessons build upon one another and we adjust starting points to each student’s level of expertise. Thus, the entire curriculum is customized. We are known for saying we are the most educational tech camp out there, but we also keep the focus on having fun. As a result, students stay engaged while learning to blend creativity with technology.

Sign up for one of our camps today!

Education

A New Bracelet Designed to Get More Girls Coding

Technology is improving every day. It is permeating all aspects of our life. New wearable technology is being used to encourage more girls to code. Consider a recent article for Kill Screen titled “THE WEARABLE TECH THAT’S GETTING GIRLS INTO CODING.”

Cassidee Moser of Kill Screen writes, “Taking friendship bracelets into the digital age, Jewelbots teaches young girls to tinker and code their way into the exploding world of wearable technology. Whether it’s the Queen of Coding Grace Hopper or the new wave of women innovation engineers, fashion brand CEOs and musicians, young girls today have a growing number of role models who use science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in their recipes for success. Having more role models is critical, but according to the founders of Jewelbots—the so-called friendship bracelets for the iPhone era—the next generation of women leaders and inventors will chase STEM endeavors at an early age, like a game of tag. ‘Kids want to have fun; it’s their job,’ said Brooke Moreland, co-founder of Jewelbots. These programmable wearables, which are powered by Arduino Gemma microcontrollers, teach girls how to hack hardware and code software so they can customize their own watches. ‘The sooner they realize how much fun they can have, the sooner they will be hooked,’ Moreland said. Hooking young girls with hands-on technology could lead them to careers that are underserved by women today. It might even inspire many to start their own STEM-related businesses, like Moreland and Jewelbots co-founder Sara Chipps. Through Jewelbots, Moreland and Chipps hope to inspire girls to pursue any careers, whether that means programming new video games or studying computer science. Hacking digital bracelets helps girls unlock their own curiosity and potential for becoming leaders in technology and business… Chipps is also a developer and co-founder of the non-profit Girl Develop It. She first noticed the importance of empowering young women while teaching them to write software at Flatiron School. Her female students were particularly excited, never realizing what they could do with software until someone took the time to show them.”

When it comes to hands-on coding education, your best bet is CodeRev Kids. At CodeRev Kids, our lessons focus on computational thinking, which encompasses a wide variety of programming languages and concepts.

Our lessons build upon one another and we adjust starting points to each student’s level of expertise. Thus, the entire curriculum is customized. We are known for saying we are the most educational tech camp out there, but we also keep the focus on having fun. As a result, students stay engaged while learning to blend creativity with technology.

Sign up for one of our camps today!

Coding Education, Education

Turner Joins Obama Coding Initiative

President Barack Obama has made no bones about his push to get more young people into coding. Now Turner Broadcasting is putting its name into the fold. Consider a recent article for Fortune titled “Why Turner Is Investing $30 Million in Obama’s Coding Initiative.”

John Gaudiosi of Fortune writes, “President Barack Obama has made the ‘Computer Science For All’ initiative a key priority for his last year in office. And Turner Broadcasting is the latest company to invest in this initiative, which focuses on making coding and other hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning an integral part of every student’s education. Turner’s $30 million investment in engaging kids in creative coding will roll out this year and become part of how Cartoon Network connects with its 6- to 11-year-old audience moving forward, according to Christina Miller, president and general manager of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and Boomerang. The network’s multimedia platform reaches over 94 million children. ‘Technology is transforming the access point for the next generation of creators and we have the outreach to go to our audience and let them know that if they want to be an animator or a storyteller there are PC tools available at their fingertips,’ Miller says. ‘We know this generation of kids is different than the one before it because they want to participate. They’re more of an open source generation.’ Turner has partnered with the MIT Media Lab to alert kids that the free block-based coding language Scratch is available. The Adventure Time characters were used in a recent DIY.org animation contest as a way for kids to use Scratch to code simple animation like the show’s characters walking.”

When it comes to customized coding education, you can’t go wrong with CodeRev Kids. At CodeRev Kids, our lessons focus on computational thinking, which encompasses a wide variety of programming languages and concepts.

Our lessons build upon one another and we adjust starting points to each student’s level of expertise. Thus, the entire curriculum is customized. We are known for saying we are the most educational tech camp out there, but we also keep the focus on having fun. As a result, students stay engaged while learning to blend creativity with technology.

Sign up for one of our winter camps today!

Coding Education, Education

Several Ways You Can Help Empower Girls to Learn Coding

it comes to coding education, a major issue is equity. Coding provides a lot of opportunities not just for underrepresented groups, but their families, friends, and communities as well. Consider a recent article for Mashable titled “8 ways you can empower girls to learn coding.”

Matt Petronizio of Mashable writes, “Before anything, you need to understand the systemic obstacles preventing girls from getting into coding. Both a culture that persistently ignores and discourages girls’ abilities in computer science, and the lack of access to tools and education, play influential roles. Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, says it’s deeply ingrained in our culture to let it be OK for girls to say they don’t like math and science. ‘We almost sensationalize it in culture for girls to promote that,’ she tells Mashable. ‘You can walk into a Forever 21 and buy a T-shirt that says ‘I’m allergic to algebra’ … You’re always showcasing these really smart girls hiding their intelligencewhen it comes to math and science.’ If girls can’t see themselves in these professions, Saujani adds, they’re not going to choose to pursue them. And that also extends to inside classrooms, where coding is rarely offered to students in general, much less focusing on girls — an obstacle Code.org founder and CEO Hadi Partovi says is equally as significant as culture. ‘If you enter a classroom and you see 18 boys and two girls, you automatically think, ‘I’m in the wrong place and I’m not welcome,’’ Partovi says. ‘And that makes it harder.’ … One of the most important ways to advocate for girls is to get schools to actually offer courses on the subject. On the public advocacy side, you can contact your local politicians and legislators to lobby on behalf of making coding a priority in public school education. As a parent or guardian, you can put pressure on school administrations to include more computer science courses in curricula for various age levels. And if you’re a teacher, you can effect change within the school system itself.”

When it comes to customized coding education, you can’t go wrong with CodeRev Kids. At CodeRev Kids, our lessons focus on computational thinking, which encompasses a wide variety of programming languages and concepts.

Our lessons build upon one another and we adjust starting points to each student’s level of expertise. Thus, the entire curriculum is customized. We are known for saying we are the most educational tech camp out there, but we also keep the focus on having fun. As a result, students stay engaged while learning to blend creativity with technology.

Sign up for one of our winter camps today!

Coding Education, Education

Proposal to Make Coding a Foreign Language Shows Need for Customized Coding Education

The need for more computer programmers in the U.S. is very serious. People all throughout the country are taking steps, some more drastic than others, to catch up. Consider a recent article for the Tampa Bay Times titled “Proposal allowing computer coding as foreign language advances.”

Kristen M. Clark of the Tampa Bay Times writes, “A controversial idea to allow high school students to count computer coding classes toward foreign language credits cleared its second committee in the Florida Senate on Wednesday — but senators did not seek to resolve concerns it could impose an unfunded mandate on schools. Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, had previously said the Senate’s education budget committee would address the fiscal impact of his plan (SB 468), but that panel on Wednesday discussed nothing about the dollars that might be needed to fund it. Ring said after the meeting that he felt there were no financial impacts, because Senate committee staff didn’t note any when reviewing the bill. The analysis acknowledges, however: ‘The bill may have a minimal fiscal impact on school districts as they shift resources to offer more computer coding courses.’ Some senators previously worried that the bill would place a burden on schools — especially those with already strapped technology resources — by requiring them to have sufficient computers, software and specialized teachers to meet the demand of students who opt to learn coding in lieu of a foreign language. Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, said he voted against it again Wednesday because his concerns weren’t addressed. The rest of the Senate budget committee voted in favor of the bill. ‘All it takes is that one parent and it overburdens schools when they say, ‘I want my child to have computer coding,’ because now you have to figure out how to facilitate a teacher and space,’ Bullard said. ‘All of those have dollars attached, and none of those concerns were remedied.’”

When it comes to sustainable, customized coding education, you can’t go wrong with CodeRev Kids. At CodeRev Kids, our lessons focus on computational thinking, which encompasses a wide variety of programming languages and concepts.

Our lessons build upon one another and we adjust starting points to each student’s level of expertise. Thus, the entire curriculum is customized. We are known for saying we are the most educational tech camp out there, but we also keep the focus on having fun. As a result, students stay engaged while learning to blend creativity with technology.

Sign up for one of our winter camps today!