NEWS RELEASE
SAULT STE MARIE INNOVATION CENTRE
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The results are in and over 1,600 children from more than 30 area schools in Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding area have participated in this year’s Hour of Code.
The excitement and enthusiasm from area schools was palpable.
One memorable quote came from an RM Moore SK student who, after writing a line of code, proudly proclaimed: “I am a computer scientist!”
To mark Computer Science Education Week (December 8 – 14), the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) advanced a city-wide Hour of Code for all area students to learn base-level programming and coding skills.
Globally, the Hour of Code is a movement reaching 15 million students across Canada and the United States last year alone.
To mark Computer Science Education Week (December 8 – 14), the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) advanced a city-wide Hour of Code for all area students to learn base-level programming and coding skills.
Globally, the Hour of Code is a movement reaching 15 million students across Canada and the United States last year alone.
This year’s goal for Hour of Code was to reach 100 million students worldwide.
To date, 70,279,825 students have tried Hour of Code, equaling more than 3,842,770,884 lines of code written by students.
“The jobs to graduates gap in computer science is widening as the field grows,” said Diana Medaglia, Marketing and Communications Manager, SSMIC.
“The jobs to graduates gap in computer science is widening as the field grows,” said Diana Medaglia, Marketing and Communications Manager, SSMIC.
“Hour of Code offers a unique approach for educators to introduce computer science basics in an approachable and relevant format. The response and enthusiasm we have seen from area schools has been remarkable. The boards, principals and teachers took on a leadership role by introducing Hour of Code and the importance of computer science to students, and students, in turn, met the challenge with eagerness,” said Medaglia.
Both school boards were in support of Hour of Code and encouraged teachers to register classes.
Lucia Reece, Director of Education at the Algoma District School Board shared the success of the day.
“Our students and staff were grateful for the opportunity to be involved in the Hour of Code, as we had over 1500 students from 28 schools participate,” said Reece. “A key focus of our Strategic Plan is the effective integration of technology into teaching and learning, and this day allowed students to not only see new ways of using technology and inquiry to solve problems, but to also learn about potential career opportunities that involve computer programming. The feedback from our staff and students was that the day was a great ‘real-life’ learning opportunity!”
“The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB) was pleased to be part of the ‘Hour of Code’. Technology provides us the ability to connect with people all over the planet, something which our students are very familiar with. Our participants were excited to be part of the initiative as it gave them a feeling of connecting with peers in a global activity. It also made them aware of the intricacies of the inner workings of computer programming. We greatly appreciate the support and collaboration provided by the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre,” said HSCDSB Director of Education, John Stadnyk.
Why is Hour of Code Important?
Both school boards were in support of Hour of Code and encouraged teachers to register classes.
Lucia Reece, Director of Education at the Algoma District School Board shared the success of the day.
“Our students and staff were grateful for the opportunity to be involved in the Hour of Code, as we had over 1500 students from 28 schools participate,” said Reece. “A key focus of our Strategic Plan is the effective integration of technology into teaching and learning, and this day allowed students to not only see new ways of using technology and inquiry to solve problems, but to also learn about potential career opportunities that involve computer programming. The feedback from our staff and students was that the day was a great ‘real-life’ learning opportunity!”
“The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB) was pleased to be part of the ‘Hour of Code’. Technology provides us the ability to connect with people all over the planet, something which our students are very familiar with. Our participants were excited to be part of the initiative as it gave them a feeling of connecting with peers in a global activity. It also made them aware of the intricacies of the inner workings of computer programming. We greatly appreciate the support and collaboration provided by the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre,” said HSCDSB Director of Education, John Stadnyk.
Why is Hour of Code Important?
Together we can teach our students critical 21st century skills, and to ensure that our students are at the forefront of creating technology for the future--not just consuming it.
Research shows that kids pick up programming concepts before they know how to read and write.
In fact, their brains are more receptive to computer languages at a young age, just like foreign languages.
In China, every student takes computer science to graduate high school.
In China, every student takes computer science to graduate high school.
It’s time for us to catch up to the 21st century.
Did you participate in Hour of Code? We want to hear about it!
Did you participate in Hour of Code? We want to hear about it!
Contact Diana Medaglia, Marketing and Communications Manager, at [email protected] or 705.942.7927 x. 3138.
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