Make the Web: Start with an Hour of Code

For the second year in a row, Webmaker and Hive Learning Networks, both Educator Innovator partners, will be participating in the largest learning event in history–the Hour of Code, running from Dec. 8-14, 2014.

Code.org launched this global campaign in 2013, to align with Computer Science Education Week, and to demystify code and show that anyone can learn the basics. Last year, 15 million students participated, and the campaign was supported by education and technology leaders, celebrities and even teachers in your hometown. This year, the goal is to reach 100 million students, to introduce them to an hour of computer science as a means to helping them become better problem-solvers and logistical thinkers, and to explore new outlets for creativity.

This is a chance to be part of something big. Whether in classrooms, afterschool programs, or at home with friends, you can achieve and learn a lot in one hour.

We put together a few fun activities that you can do with others to celebrate the Hour of Code this year. Try coding your first app using local weather data, or remixing your local newspaper’s website. No previous coding experience is required–all you need are a computer, access to the web, and some eager learners (note these activities may be best for ages 8 and up).

In addition to helping to build hard skills like HTML, CSS, JavaScript and app development, these activities have other important skills baked in–like critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration. It’s this combination that results in a fun learning experience, especially important when introducing new concepts.

Hour of Code in your Hometown
With millions of people participating in this year’s Hour of Code campaign, there are sure to be some events happening near you. These could be great opportunities to learn new skills while also meeting new people, and being introduced to ongoing programs offered in schools, at libraries and other community centers in your hometown.

Here are some examples of programs and events happening in Mozilla Hive Learning cities across North America:

Hive Chattanooga:

• The Chattanooga Public Library, STEM Innovation Hub, Public Education Foundation, Tennessee Code Academy, Carbon Five and Hive Chattanooga are hosting two Hour of Code events on 12/13: one is for 3rd-4th grade students from 10am-12pm at the Youth and Family Development Center; and the other is for 5th-8th graders, at the Chattanooga Public Library from 1-3pm.
• They’re also hosting a Code and Carols event on 12/11, a meet-up for teachers, educators, and others to learn about the digital literacy resources available for classrooms and informal education spaces.

Hive Pittsburgh:

• The Remake Learning Digital Corps will be running afterschool programs all week featuring MakeyMakey, Hummingbird Robotics, Scratch, App Inventor and Webmaker. Check out their teaching kits here!
• Several schools, including Propel High School, Elizabeth Forward High School and Elizabeth Forward Middle School, will run Hour of Code activities during the school day, including partnering older and younger students for mentoring opportunities.
• Carnegie Science Center is hosting a drop-in Hour of Code workshop on 12/9 from 10am-2pm.The Labs at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host coding workshops at their Main Library branch space on 12/9 during afterschool time from 4-7 pm. Also, the Homewood branch will feature an Hour of Code event on 12/11with TekStart.

Hive Chicago:

• The Lawndale Christian Development Corporation Community Technology Center is hosting a three-day celebration featuring written, graphic, video and animated design on 12/11, an “Open Coding Workshop” with Scratch and Webmaker on 12/12, and a “CodeCreate and Friends” interactive workshop using Simple Photocell Circuits with Morse Code, Scratch and Webmaker on 12/13.
• Museum educators at The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium are highlighting coding careers in museums through in-person events as well as online. Follow hashtag #MuseumsCode on Twitter to find out about Hour of Code events happening in Chicago and at museums in your city.

Hive NYC:

• Iridescent will run their Build an App class for 5th-10th graders to building websites using Thimble, Neocities and Javascript.
• NYC Parks and Recreation Computer Resource Centers are running KidsCode! programs in ten locations.
• Brooklyn Public Library is hosting an Hour of Code workshop for all ages in the Central Library’s Information Commons Lab on 12/14 from 2-3pm.

Hive Kansas City:

• This month’s Hive Kansas City meet-up featured Hour of Code activities including remixing the Nelson Atkins Museum online collection using X-Ray Goggles.

Hive Toronto:

• Kids Learning Code is running special Hour of Code activities in their after school program throughout the week.

Hive Bay Area:

• The Kapor Center for Social Impact will host Brothers Code, a one-day event on 12/13 for African American and Latino young men with an interest in tech and tech careers.

You can find even more Hour of Code events across the world here.

We hope you have an opportunity to spend at least one hour between Dec. 8th and 12th to learn something new or help someone else gain useful new skills. If you do, be sure to apply for your Web Literacy Skill Share badge, and show us what you’ve made using the #hourofcode and #webmaker hashtags.

This post originally appeared at the Webmaker blog.