Category Archives: Skills

Skills

STEM Can Be a Part of Your Holiday Celebrations

At CodeREV Kids, we’re always looking for kids to get involved with STEM related activities and as the holidays creep up on us, we’ve been thinking about ways to keep kids excited. We came up with a way for kids to get into the spirit of Thanksgiving while becoming involved in STEM activities – and all it takes is toothpicks and cranberries.

The easiest way to get started is to divide up your cranberries and toothpicks and give each child their own baking sheet with their own supplies. This helps to ensure you don’t have to deal with crushing cranberries under your feet while you’re preparing your Thanksgiving feast! Begin by making a structure so they’ll know how it works. Essentially, you take a toothpick and put a cranberry on each end of it. Then add more toothpicks to each cranberry and before you know it, you have a structure that can be built upon.

Depending on how old your children are, this is a good time to talk to them about STEM issues like what the center of gravity is, and why a structure that has a larger base can be stable at a much higher height than a base that’s smaller.

Once they have the basic idea down, you can get creative and ask them for some interesting projects. For example, you might ask them to build a Christmas Village, or a rocket to the moon. Ask them to build something that’s even taller than the table, or even something taller than they are! If you have several kids working, you can also ask them to work collaboratively.

Remember that this project isn’t about your kids creating a perfect result. Instead, it’s a way for them to learn. If their structure breaks apart, help them figure out why. This is a great hands-on way for kids to begin to understand some of the basic principles of gravity.

At CodeREV Kids, we think projects like this are very interesting but of course we encourage kids to get involved in our comprehensive coding classes too. Like the above project, they give kids the chance to learn STEM concepts in a hands-on environment. In fact, our students wouldn’t know they were actually learning new things if we didn’t tell them – they just think they’re having fun, gaining confidence, and making new friends! The fact that they’re actually increasing a host of other skills is just an added bonus for them.

Skills

Can You Guess What the Best Paying Jobs in the Country Are?

Many people are likely not surprised that many of the best paying jobs in the United States are those held by doctors. According to a recent article in Business Insider, The Highest Paying Jobs in America, people in the medical field make up about half of the top 25 best paying jobs, with anesthesiologists topping the list as the best paid. But what about the others? Some were surprising to us at CodeREV Kids, but some weren’t surprising at all.

Some jobs surprised us

Would you have guessed that pilots are one of the top 25 best-paid professionals in the United States? Or that marketing managers were? Of course, CEOs are on the list, but they’re not nearly as high as we would have expected. Another big surprise was the six-figure salary of the average Physician Assistant. They must complete about 2 ½ years of post-graduate schooling, but that’s a lot less than doctors, and they can make more than some doctors, depending on the specialty of the doctor.

There was one entry on the list that didn’t surprise us at all

The least surprising job on this list came in at Number 20: Computer and Information Systems Managers. According to the article, their mean annual salary was $132,570. The article also said that there were more than 315,000 people currently working with this job title. That’s pretty impressive – and may make some worry if that’s a bubble that’s about to burst. Quite the contrary.

According to the article, the projected job growth in this industry is a whopping 15% between the time of the survey and 2020. At CodeREV Kids, this isn’t surprising. In fact, we know that there are going to be millions of jobs in the computer industry that aren’t going to get filled for no reason other than that there won’t be enough qualified people to take them.

Getting kids involved early is a great way to prepare them for a future career

At CodeREV Kids, we offer a host of classes that can get kids involved in coding, problem-solving, and the latest technological innovations. Whether they go on to be computer and information systems managers or something else entirely, it’s hard to argue against the fact that technology is here to stay and will be relevant to virtually any job they may want. Contact us today for more info on our many class offerings.

Skills

Why Should You Choose CodeREV’s Vanilla Minecraft Server

Your kids love Minecraft and you love to know they’re safe and protected. CodeREV Kids has the perfect option to combine these two needs. Our vanilla server lets your kids play Minecraft with other kids, learn more about the platform, and play in an online environment that’s completely safe and always monitored.

Your kids will have access to popular plugins

Of course, the best safety in the world won’t work well if your kids want to log on to another server because they can’t get what they want. That’s why we offer not only the most popular plugins that kids play with online, but some we made just for our server. We have a truly expansive hub world and an enormous amount of fantastic stuff for kids to enjoy. There’s always something new to be discovered.

Some of the features you can expect with our Minecraft server

When you choose the CodeREV Kids vanilla Minecraft server, your kids will have access to a ton of features including:

  • A full economy that’s totally player driven.
  • A server that’s constantly monitored to ensure kids get a positive, clean, safe experience.
  • Minigames (in the process right now).
  • Only players we’ve approved have access to our server.
  • A huge player hub.
  • Block protection.
  • Anti-triefing plugins.

You have options in Minecraft servers

We know you have many options but we know we’re better than your other choices. Why? For a number of reasons, including these three:

  1. We’re smaller than many others which gives us more control when administrating the server.
  2. We’re super active in both building and helping players.
  3. We offer custom plugins that aren’t available anywhere else.

Our staff knows Minecraft in and out, from building to designing to engineering and beyond. Whether your kid wants to create a sprawling city or functional computer, we can help. We have filled our world with landmarks for kids to discover or they can become builders and create their own landmarks. We are highly versed in what needs to be done to ensure a safe, fun, educational experience for every child.

Of course, our server is hosted on blazing fast SSDs, a huge amount of DDR4 ECC RAM, the best Intel Xenon processors available, and an entire gigabit connection to ensure an incredible experience. Are you still not sure if this is the right choice? Take a look at our available Minecraft modded servers too.

Skills

5 Reasons Minecraft is Great for Kids

Minecraft, a build-and-survive game currently owned by Microsoft, is widely popular amongst children. This may give parents pause but the truth is that this is actually a great game for kids to get involved in. Here are five reasons CodeREV Kids thinks Minecraft is great for kids.

1. It boosts their creativity

Think of Minecraft like Legos for the computer. Your child can build virtually anything they set their mind to, but the great thing about it is that they can build even if they have no experience. Just like with Legos, they may start off with simple structures and blocks, but as they gain confidence there’s no limit to what they can create.

2. The skills it teaches can be used in the real world

There are many skills kids will learn while mastering Mindcraft that can be very useful in the real world. For example, resource management is integral to creating anything in the game, cost-benefit analysis is needed constantly, patience is a must, perseverance is required, and teamwork can also be learned if your kid plays online.

3. It can be played anywhere

Most video games work on specific systems or require specific hardware to work. On the other hand, Minecraft can be played just about anywhere, including on computers, tablets, smartphones, the vast majority of video game systems, and a number of handheld gaming systems.

4. It’s a kid-friendly option

Many parents don’t feel comfortable with the violence that’s present in many video games. While there are some elements of fighting in Minecraft, the graphics are made of blocks and there is no blood. There’s also a “peaceful” mode that can be turned on. If you choose it, your kids will play without enemies and it will be all but impossible to die.

5. Everyone in the family can get involved

Not only is it a great game for kids to play but their parents, siblings, and other family members can get involved too. You can teach them how to be good sports when things don’t go as planned, you can turn the game off when it’s time, and you can help give them advice. You can even create a character of your own and jump into their game from a smartphone, tablet, or other computer.

Are you interested in getting your kid involved in Minecraft? Let CodeREV Kids help pave the way!

Skills

Tips for Improving a Child’s Problem-Solving Skills

It’s important that kids know how to solve problems yet many adults aren’t sure exactly how to teach them. For many people, problem-solving is something that’s simply done – we don’t always think about the processes we follow. Here are some tips to help get your kids on the right track with essential problem-solving skills.

Start by teaching your child to evaluate problems

Before a problem can be solved, it must be identified. Just stating what the problem is can help a child develop. Once they’ve identified the problem, the next step is for the child to think of several possible solutions. Look to brainstorm three or more possible solutions, discuss each solution’s pros and cons, and then together work with your child to decide which of the solutions is best. Stress that if they choose a solution that doesn’t work, they can try another solution.

Discuss problems with your child

When your child encounters a problem, avoid the urge to solve it for them. If you see them struggling, allow them the chance to solve it on their own. If they aren’t able to do so, then step in and help them find the solution themselves. Try role modeling problem-solving to give your child ideas on what to do in real life. Work together with your child on the solution. Praise them when they do well. Talk about their progress and go back to solutions if one doesn’t work.

Allow your child to experience consequences

When a child has to deal with natural consequences, they’ll have to make a choice and face the consequences themselves. Obviously you don’t want to make them face any consequences that put their safety at risk, but if they want to spend all their money, or they want to skip their homework, allowing them to do so and then not bailing them out will teach them more than punishing them.

Enroll your child in classes that promote problem-solving

There aren’t problem-solving classes but there are great options that naturally teach kids how to identify and solve problems. CodeREV Kids offers coding and robotics classes that help kids gain confidence, learn useful skills, and yes, improve their problem-solving skills. Learn more about why coding is a great choice for kids and then reach out to us with questions. We look forward to helping your child learn how to solve problems on their own.

Skills

5 Perfect Gifts for Kids Who Love Robots

Robots have been a popular fascination of kids for decades but in this day and age, kids can do more than dream about them – they can get involved in coding and building them. At CodeREV Kids, we’re always excited to see anything that gets imaginations brewing. That’s why this article in Clapway, Top 10 Robot Toys for Kids Who Love Robotics, really struck our fancy. Here are five of our favorites for the list.

1. The Zoob Bot Kit

We love this 54-page kit, which includes instructions, lighting, and four wheels, because it’s won tons of awards and because it also includes gears, pieces, and joints that rotate and extend. This is an affordable kit, coming it at under $20.00, that’s simple enough for kids six and up to use. It’s a great choice when you want to nudge a child’s imagination in a robotic direction.

2. The Ozobot Starter Pack

This toy won best robot in both 2014 and 2015. It can be used in conjunction with Ozobot’s apps, to increase the ways kids can play with it, and parents can use the free STEM lesson plan for kids that comes along with it. This is an impressive robot that costs less than $50.

3. Wall-E U-Control Remote Control Robot

Are your kids fans of the Disney / Pixar movie Wall-E? If so, this is a great choice! It talks, blinks bright lights, plays funny music, and is just nine inches tall. Parents or kids can control it with the remote control and robotics can even be programmed into it. This is a costlier item but can be a great splurge option for kids.

4. Sphero Star Wars BB-8 Droid

With this Star Wars themed robot, you’ll pay more than you’d pay for the others on this list, but in exchange you get some impressive features: voice commands, a personality that adjusts to your kid, holographic messages, and much more.

5. Robotics classes

While the toys on this list are sure to be a hit amongst robot-loving kids, what better way to get them excited than to give them the gift of learning? At CodeREV Kids we offer classes suited specifically for kids. We get them excited, involved, and hungry for more coding and robot knowledge. Whether you want to send them to an after-school program or a STEM-based camp, we have you covered.

Skills

The Robotics World Championship Brings Together Kids from Around the World

It’s no surprise to us that teaching kids robotics can help improve their lives in a number of ways but the recent Robotics World Championship was a particularly inspiring event. A recent article titled Mexican, Central American kids show off robotics talents in Austin does a great job showcasing what was so special about this contents.

“Ana Sofía Orta is only 8 years old, but she’s already decided she wants to do when she grows up: robotics. The little girl from Tamaulipas, Mexico, is on the right path. On May 21, Orta was among 860 children who traveled from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala to participate in the Robotics World Championship 2016, an international competition held at Circuit of the Americas to promote the talent and technical skills of kids from countries that are more commonly associated with gangs, drugs and violence.

The all-day event was organized by the Asociación Américana de Robótica y Tecnología, AAROBOTEC, a group that has been promoting robotics competitions among Latin America schools over the last twelve years, said Pedro Bello, president of the organization. Promoting robotics in classrooms encourages children to choose tech-oriented fields and gives them an opportunity to explore their creativity, said Bello, who is also the principal at a private school in Querétaro, Mexico. Robotics “integrates math, physics and computers,” he said. “And through competitions, children learn in an easy, simple and pleasant way.”

One objective of AAROBOTEC is to encourage the creation of robotics programs in more public and private schools, which could increase the number of students who enter technology fields, said Bello. AAROBOTEC had more than 150,000 students who participated in local competitions in Latin America in the last year. The finalists won the trip to Austin to compete in the championships. “We have to invest in education, in robotics” Bello said, emphasizing that the participating countries have. “There is a lot of talent. They are good people.”

Of course, kids don’t have to live in Mexico or Central American to take advantage of the benefits of learning robotics at a young age. At CodeREV we are here to teach kids essential skills and give them tools to move forward with an interesting hobby that could turn into a lucrative career. Check out our after-school programs or tech camps for more information.

Skills

7-Year-Old Displays Coding Skills on “Steve Harvey”

Coding recently got a major platform on the Steve Harvey show. A young child showed off his skills for the comedian-turned media titan. Consider a recent article for the Morning Call titled “Lower Nazareth 7-year-old to talk computer coding on ‘Steve Harvey.’”

According to the author of the article, “There’s a ‘Little Big Shot’ in Lower Nazareth Township and his name is Kedar Narayan. The 7-year-old is so talented at computer coding that the ‘Steve Harvey’ daytime NBC talk show asked him to appear on the program at 2 p.m. Monday when Harvey kicks off a week of celebrating kids. Kedar will explain to Harvey, who also has an NBC Sunday primetime show called ‘Little Big Shots,’ what computer coding is and talk about the program he invented called ‘Storibot.’ ‘Storibot’ is a 3D board game that teaches coding to children and includes tactile elements so that visually impaired children can use it. Harvey is showcasing kids with incredible talent, some who have been on ‘Little Big Shots’ and some who are getting their big break on the ‘Steve Harvey’ stage. Kedar, who is homeschooled, has been writing computer code since he was 5. He started when his parents became frustrated that he was spending too much time playing video games and fibbed to him that his Wii was broken, says his mom Anita. They said he needed to learn how to create games. He learned with a program called Scratch, created at MIT, and from YouTube. His mom, Anita, is a former coder. His father, Kartik, is a biochemist for Sanofi Pasteur. Kedar won an award in November at the Chicago Toy and Game Fair, where he was discovered by Steve Harvey’s people. Anita says the show contacted them two weeks ago and flew them to Chicago, where they taped the show April 12.”

When it comes to 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!

Skills

Computer Coding: The Workforce Silver Bullet?

Many policymakers throughout the country are wondering how to create more equity in the workforce. Coding is one avenue many are exploring. Consider a recent article for the US News & World Report titled “Is Computer Coding the New Silver Bullet?”

Lauren Camera of the US News & World Report writes, “Deborah Berebichez remembers marveling last year at the throngs of girls working in teams at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. They were writing computer coding to categorize and analyze all sorts of artifacts from the museum. ‘It was brilliant what they were doing,’ said Berebichez, the chief data scientist at Metis, a coding boot camp provider affiliated with education and test prep company Kaplan. But then she approached a group of girls who had written code to analyze statistics about turtles. In a column that showed each turtle’s weight were big numbers, like 120 and 200. ‘I asked them what measurement of weight that was,’ she explained. ‘And none of them knew.’ The education arena loves silver bullets, and right now it has its eyes set on getting girls to code as a way to close the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and math – or STEM – fields. Dozens of programs have sprouted up across the country, and the White House has made investing in computer science a major policy priority. But without also providing critical thinking skills, many say, the potential solution is just the latest shiny object in a series of now-tarnished baubles. ‘It makes me a little bit sad,’ Berebichez said at the annual Arizona State University Global Silicon Valley Summit, held this year here in California. ‘Coding programs are sprouting like broccoli all over the country, but it’s just a language. What we really should be teaching them is critical thinking skills.’”

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!

Coding Education, Skills

Coding to Detect Hidden Explosives

 

When we talk about coding, the conversation is often abstract. We talk about available jobs but we don’t put a face on these employment opportunities. IHS Electronics 360 takes a look at one of these opportunities in a recent article titled “Computers and Coding Skills Can Help Detect Hidden Explosives.”

Nicollette Emmino of IHS Electronics 360 writes, “Traditional mass spectrometers are quite large, about the size of an oven, which makes them hard to use outside of a laboratory. However the Duke researchers have now figured out how to implement a technology called ‘coded aperture’ in order to shrink the devices and make them usable in the field to detect environmental or safety hazards. ‘In a typical mass spectrometer, the charged molecules pass through a thin slit, which defines your resolution,’ says Jeff Glass, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Duke. ‘When you try to shrink the instrument, you have to shrink the slit too. That means the number of ions (charged molecules) passing through is going to drop and you’re going to lose signal intensity. We got around this issue by using several slits, which code the ions.’ The key to making it work is knowing the pattern (code) of the array of apertures. The team worked with fellow engineers to implement the coding and computational aspects necessary. ‘This idea was actually mentioned in a short article from 1970,’ said Jason Amsden, a research scientist and manager of the project. ‘But nobody since then has had all the parts to put it together.’ Now the team is testing its coded aperture technology on different versions of mass spectrometers to see which versions will be best when scaled down for mobile use. The team members are also working to show the devices have potential applications in detecting trace amounts of methane to spot leaks in infrastructure and various explosives to prevent terror attempts. The technology can also have a more immediate impact in research laboratories around the world due to its higher resolution capabilities, an asset for medical applications.”

When it comes to 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!