Showing Everyone Can Code
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, understanding technology has become more crucial than ever before. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are projected to grow 10.8% between 2022 and 2032, compared to 2.3% in non-STEM-related jobs. Enter Everyone Can Code (ECC), an after-school program aimed at introducing robotics and programming to students from first to fifth grade at Riverdale’s Lower School. Planned and taught by juniors Amanda Chen, Katherine Lu, and Zoe Ray, who are co-captains of the Girls Who Code club (GWC), sophomore Charlotte Heffner, a student member of GWC, Lower School Interdisciplinary Integration Coordinator Ms. Vanessa Vazquez, Lower School Interdisciplinary Integrator Ms. Darcey Blake, Middle and Upper School computer science teacher Mr. Harris, and junior Max Yoo, captain of the Upper School Robotics Team, ECC is not just about teaching coding; it’s about empowering young minds and equipping them with the tools they need to thrive.
In 2021, The Upper School Girls Who Code club presented Mr. Andrew Abate, Chair of the Computer Science Department, with a proposal to teach a series of coding classes to female-presenting students at the Lower School. When Mr. Abate shared the idea with the Lower School administration, they jumped at the offer of cross-campus collaboration. They too had wanted to offer students at the Lower School coding and robotics courses outside of the classroom. The program has since expanded and now offers courses for Grades 1 - 5 for all students, regardless of gender identity. “The ultimate goal of this program is to provide our students with exposure to robotics and coding to build confidence in their use of these tools. We want students to realize that STEM does not only have to exist in science and math, but can also be valuable in other subject areas such as music and physical education,” Ms. Vazquez explained.
The fall session of the program kicked it off with an exciting introduction to Spheros. These dynamic robotic spheres, known for their versatility and interactivity, provided a perfect platform for students to get accustomed to basic coding knowledge. Students played games such as Hot Potato and coded their way through intricate mazes and obstacle courses. As winter came around, the program divided into 2 sections: Ozobots with the 1-2 grades and mBots with grades 3-5. In the mBot course, students embarked on a mission to save the “ocean” by programming their robots to pick up and deposit trash, learning about environmental issues and sustainability. The last session, the spring session, taught 4-5th graders all about Vex Robotics, offering students the opportunity to dive deeper into robotics engineering and design. Yoo, captain of Riverdale’s Upper School Robotics Team, brought his experiences to co-lead ECC. Through engaging activities and discussions, students will gain a deeper understanding of the role that technology can play in addressing problems in fields such as medicine, conservation, and everyday life.
Reflecting on her experience leading the mBot sessions, Lu says: “It was so amazing seeing how passionate these third to fifth-graders were getting. I heard a lot of them saying “Oh my goodness this is so cool” and “What are we doing today?” In the last class, we could truly see how much they had grown and how much they were able to change the way they approached problems.”
One of the defining features of ECC is its hands-on approach to learning. Students receive their own robot and iPad to code. Additionally, students are encouraged to embrace trial and error as a natural part of the learning process. “Our motto is: If you don’t fail, you’re not even trying,” Mr. Harris tells the class. One of the program’s highlights, “Robot of The Day,” exposes students to real-world applications of the concepts they learn in class. For example, if the day’s lesson focuses on coding and implementing ultrasonic sensors onto their robots, students might watch a video featuring a Roomba robot in action. Other times, the video could be about humanoid robots playing soccer. This practical approach not only reinforces classroom learning but also sparks curiosity and excitement among students.
Lu believes that technology education offers endless opportunities. “It’s a way for us to inspire passion and interest in technology at a young age, especially with the younger students we’re working with, and really empower them to pursue potential futures in technology,” she said. “Technology really is such a good field. It’s high paying and it’s the field of the future. It’s limitless.” Ray echoes this sentiment: “I think ECC is so important because technology and coding are important right now and will continue to be very important in the future, so I’m glad we can give these kids the knowledge they need to navigate that and also have fun while learning.”
As society becomes increasingly reliant on technology, after-school programs like ECC play a crucial role in preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. By instilling fundamental skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, ECC is not just preparing these young students for the future – it’s empowering them to shape it.
