If you’ve always wanted to introduce your kids to coding, you’re in luck.
This summer, Microsoft is back with free STEM-centric summer camps to encourage children to embrace the digital skills to excel today and into the tech-driven future.
Through workshops held at Microsoft stores across the country, Canada and Puerto Rico, kids (ages 6 and up) will receive hands-on education in coding, robotics, moviemaking and philanthropy.
The tech leader is offering five new YouthSpark curriculums each developed by education experts in the field and with input from local store associates to provide students with the real-world tools to prep them for careers of tomorrow.
Last week I got a sneak peek of some of the new sessions during a preview at the Microsoft flagship store in Manhattan.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what students and parents can expect:
Create a difference in your world
Have a budding philanthropist in your home? This curriculum supports the next generation of philanthropists by offering ways to use technology to do good in their community. Students will develop an actionable plan for a humanitarian effort of their choice and learn about the business of fundraising, volunteering and creating awareness for their cause.
Code a talking robot with Ohbot
Who doesn’t love robots? Your mini-me will fall head over heels for this eye-opening session. Ohbot is an expressive, programmable robot head that stands approximately eight inches tall, built with seven motors that tilt and turn the head and eyes and move its eyelids and lips. Over the course of this camp, students will apply computational thinking to learn how to bring Ohbot to life by coding its movements and speech.
Make your own movie with 3D and Mixed Reality
Encourage your movie buff to make her own movie with this course. Students will learn about several aspects of making movies, including character development, storyboarding, shooting, editing and sharing. They’ll also have access to Microsoft’s latest 3D drawing and movie-making technology with Mixed Reality Viewer and the Microsoft Photos app to create and interact in mixed reality, inviting friends and family to their Microsoft Store-hosted movie premiere at the end of the camp.
Minecraft coding – learn computer science with your favorite game
This session will blow your child’s mind. Grounded in key common core standards for K-12 computer science, this camp invites students into an inclusive and immersive project built around creating, exploring and learning code in Minecraft with the help of MakeCode. Students learn and practice new computer science concepts, such as events, coordinates, variables, and conditionals, and work toward receiving a YouthSpark Certificate, awarded at the end of the camp.
Beginners fun with computers and coding
The sooner we introduce our little ones to coding, the better. This workshop is great for students who have had little to no experience with computers and coding. Through fun and simple challenges, students as young as six will learn how computers and code work together and showcase their new skills by solving hands-on coding activities. They will also get the chance to turn the tables and teach parents how to complete a coding activity.
The camp consists of either one, two or four two-hour interactive sessions that will give students a fun head start on the digital skills and tools they’ll need to fuel their passions and achieve their professional goals—all in a safe and engaging environment.
Sessions begin in May and run through the end of August.
To join, register for summer camps today online or in person at your local Microsoft Store.
Have your kids ever taken a coding or robotics class?
Great idea for kids. I wish I was one. This is a great post.