Allison Flynn • allison@rutherfordweekly.com
Wednesday, December 28, 2016 2:47 pm

Students at Forrest Hunt Elementary can now say they have something in common with Apple's Steve Wozniak: They have begun to learn the basics of computer programming.

Students have been learning coding in their STEM lab this year, and as a result decided to participate in the global Hour of Code held earlier this month.

"The world is so connected through technology," said Media Specialist Karen Glover, who oversaw the school's event. "The fact that kids all over the world were doing the same coding activities that day hopefully drove this point home to our students."

Hour of Code is a global movement; anyone, anywhere can organize an event for it, and no experience is needed. Hour of Code takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week, which is held around the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper. The purpose of the event is to show that anyone can learn the basics of coding and to broaden participation in the field of computer science.

Students at Forrest Hunt had the opportunity to rotate through various coding activities, like coding with robots Dash and Dot, activities on code.org and Osmo - a puzzle/gaming device where students have to choose the right "piece" to act as a command for the game.

Coding, Glover explained, uses critical thinking, which is the basis of the jobs of today and the future.

"It's vital for students to learn code, and the earlier the better," she said. "Plus, coding can be so much fun that kids have no idea they are actually learning."

Starting in elementary school will provide a foundation for students to engage in more complex coding in middle and high school, said Kim Carpenter, director of instructional technology for Rutherford County Schools. Providing programming instruction is just one of the ways the district is preparing students for the future. Another is the introduction of robotics clubs in all the elementary and middle schools.

During Forrest Hunt's Hour of Code, fifth grade students were partnered with kindergarten students - which served two purposes, Glover said.

"Fifth graders love 'teaching' the kindergarteners and the kindergarteners love spending time with the older kids," she explained. "You have to truly know how to complete a skill to effectively teach it - so the fifth graders demonstrating their knowledge of coding by guiding the kindergarteners through the hour was not only enjoyable but hopefully also empowering for them."