 Objective: Understand why you should learn to code even if you don’t want to be a computer scientist.  Essential Questions: ◦ What is Coding? ◦ What is computational thinking? ◦ What are some opportunities for learning how to code?

 Behind every computer, app or robot, there is someone who wrote the program telling it what to do  Computer scientists typically work in teams  Can spend months writing detailed instructions for programming a computer/robot/app

 The code covers every possible situation that the technology would need to cover (modeling problems and creating algorithms)  Months spent in testing solutions (reviewing their work & problem solving)  Betas testers give feedback and problems are fixed (reevaluate)  Continuously improve the program

1. ASK What’s the Problem? What are the Constraints? 2. IMAGINE Brainstorm Ideas. Choose the Best One. 3. PLAN Draw A Diagram. Gather Needed Materials. 4. CREATE Follow the Plan. Test it Out! 5. IMPROVE Discuss What Can Work Better. Repeat Steps 1 through 5. Integrated S.T.E.M. 6

 It’s a myth that you have to be a math or science genius to learn to program  You just need to learn the process and then practice it  You can build a portfolio by doing volunteer work for a church or charity

 Problem decomposition  Pattern recognition  Pattern generalization  Algorithm design  Data analysis  Visualization

 You program when you control your own digital technology ◦ Setting up a universal TV remote ◦ Downloading a ringtone ◦ Customizing your cell or desktop  Most of this takes place in higher level languages consisting of menus and choices

Will everyone that Learns to Code Get a Programming Job? NO! But the skills you learn are transferable to any job! Programming requires ◦ Critical thinking ◦ Math skills ◦ Communication skills ◦ Problem solving skills ◦ Creativity ◦ Perseverance

 “The programmers of tomorrow are the wizards of the future. You’re going to look like you have magic powers.” -Gabe Newell, video game designer

 As programming becomes more common place, it will become a key skill and attribute of our top intellectual and social classes just as reading and writing were in the past Can you read it? It says, “Now Hiring.”

 30 Years from now machines are expected to be a billion times more powerful than they are today!  Literacy will belong to those who can master not words, or even multimedia, but a variety of powerful, expressive human- machine interactions

 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010 there were 913,00 computer programming jobs  That is expected to increase by 30% from 2010 to 2020  “There aren’t enough people to fill these jobs because technology and the job market are moving much faster than education in high schools and colleges.” -Mark Lassoff, Founder of learntoprogram.tv

 Learn to code start-up companies have been able to fundraise millions to get their companies going  Investors realize that companies like Code Academy don’t just train the next generation of developers, the skills they teach are essential for managers too.

 Late July/August there will be a new Coding Club at ECMS!  Learn about computational thinking  Learn coding by utilizing various free online software  Help and advice from real programmers  A chance to meet new friends that also love to code!!