TechTown Foundation on Friday announced their participation in the Hour of Code activities scheduled for the week of Dec. 7-13. The lineup includes a weeklong partnership with Battle Academy, bringing coding education to all 356 students at the downtown school.
TechTown will also host a kick-off event for the week on Dec. 5, giving parents, students and teachers an opportunity to learn coding or sharpen existing skills. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and space is limited.
“TechTown is uniquely positioned to offer students, teachers and the community an introduction to computer science and coding and the many doors that these skills can open,” said Cordell Carter, chief executive officer of TechTown Foundation. “We have all seen the power of computer science training – how it shapes critical thinking skills and creativity and builds resilience. These are not just job skills, they are life skills that will be essential for the next generation.”
TechTown will be using its own curriculum, as well as Code.org materials in the education modules. The Hour of Code is organized by Code.org to give millions of students a one-hour introduction to computer science and coding.
“Battle Academy has seen amazing interest from our students who participated in Hour of Code in the last two years, and we are thrilled to be able to expand the training to include every grade level,” said Katie Hetrick, instructional facilitator and IT coordinator at Battle Academy. “We are excited for our students to have access to the educational resources that TechTown can provide, and better understand where computer science careers can lead them.”
In addition to the partnership with Battle Academy, TechTown will open its downtown facility on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 1-4:45 p.m. for a sneak peak “Hour of Code” event. Parents, students and teachers are invited to participate in a hands-on educational experience featuring TechTown and Code.org curriculum. The event is free, but registration is required at www.gotechtown.org/hourofcode. Open to the first 100 registrants.
TechTown is at 325 Market St., 2nd floor.