Coding + ESTEEMFEST

Coding + STEMFEST/Interesting Information on Coding.

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This picture demonstrates coding in STEM education. Source: https://www.science-on-stage.eu/material/coding-in-stem-education

By: Amna Muddisser, Journalist

Coding is something that primarily most people have heard about and know of. But, have you ever wondered how coding is related to STEM?

To begin with, Coding is part of “technology” in STEM. It basically “carries” the entire technology part of STEM.

 

Here at LJMS, we have an amazing teacher coding teacher who is Mr. Kim. His goal is to teach all the basics of code and to make fast-paced progress within the lessons. We use a coding platform called “Code.org”. It’s a very smooth platform which makes programming a lot easier.

What does this class cover?

In this class, we cover drawing backgrounds in a game lab to being able to program a fully functioning game by ourselves. At our school, we have offered 2 electives classes for Coding. Coding 1 is essentially the basics of coding and is perfect for a beginner to start paving their way into computer programming. Coding 1 teaches you how to use HTML and CSS (basics). Coding 2 or Advanced Coding is where it starts to get difficult. You continue to build and develop your skills from Coding 1, but you learn lots of additional code (which is essential to succeed in Coding 2). Ex. Coding 1 will teach you about sprites and changing their x and y position, and adding speed or velocity. Coding 2 progresses on those skills and goes further by teaching you how to add rotation speed and making different backgrounds with additional (new) functions that are being put into the code. Additionally, students have created interactive animations as well as even programmed their video games! Coding 2 is definitely for someone who likes to program. By the end of it, you are a fast and accurate coder.

What have students made in this class?

Click on these games to view what students have programmed in Coding 2.

https://studio.code.org/projects/gamelab/fVHcWLIDjX13hs8Yi92hRI-usOUlJV9m7qUN0ZiTLgs 

https://studio.code.org/projects/gamelab/26R67ekO_gQiH2hzj0bGaDJSygm__qi3nove-gVa-pc 

https://studio.code.org/projects/gamelab/Gv2QdN1YqcbJf8hUb2eGiY-sVKjlNnPpRs0hb2ZaeXQ/view

https://studio.code.org/projects/gamelab/W4lXyyZ9TD0cux6SBCo22lHJbzK3vDfOg_NCTc82ewg

 

What does Mr. Kim do?

Mr. Kim is the only teacher at LJMS who teaches Coding. We are very fortunate to have a teacher like him! His teaching ethic strongly relies on giving a brief explanation to his advanced students. For students taking Coding 1, he explains more thoroughly. A common thing that most students enjoy about Mr. Kim is that he always keeps his classroom a relaxing environment. He constantly displays a positive attitude, which is why so many students enjoy having him as a teacher.

“Coding is a semester-long course where students are introduced to new and emerging technology through hands-on projects. As a teacher, my goal is to increase technical literacy and to introduce students to real-world skills that are commonly found in the modern workplace.” – Mr.Kim

“Coding is one the most in-demand skills in today’s modern workplace. As long as there are computers, we will need coders to program them.” – Mr.Kim

 

How does this class connect to STEM?

This class has a major connection to “Technology” in STEM because programming is part of technology. A basic idea about STEM is that STEM focuses on the needed skills to solve real-life problems. When technology and logic are integrated, that is the best possible way for students to learn how to code. Mr.Kim likes to add this to our lessons and we usually get “essential questions” such as, “How does this help your understanding of making a sprite and changing its velocity?” and “How would learning how to debug an error in your code help your problem-solving skills?” etc. When asked these questions, we are asked to have a proper justification, as well as a detailed response. Mr.Kim likes to make sure that we get a full understanding of what we have learned in class.

 

In conclusion, Coding plays a huge role in STEM. Coding = Tech in STEM. Programming increases the students’ critical thinking and implants good problem-solving skills for the future. It also helps a student’s overall ability to learn. If you can’t already tell, if you can master coding…you can pretty much master anything.

 

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     Take Action: 

  • Attend a STEMFEST and learn more about Coding (Luther Jackson Middle School is holding one from June 5-June 9, come check it out!) Click on this link to view more: https://esteemstream.news/85457/%ee%a0%baeditor-engineering/esteemfest-2023/#photo
  • Research farther by taking a look at related stories (in this article).
  • Ask any teachers at your school who teach STEM (or anything related to that) about any questions you may have.