Why are STEM skills so important for kids to learn?
We believe every child should have an engaging introduction to STEM skills including coding. This is not because they will all grow up to be computer scientists, but rather because learning to code is actually learning how to think. When coding, kids practice essential skills like problem solving, persistence, and even literacy. Research has also shown that gender bias in STEM subjects starts when children are very young. A fun introduction to coding boosts confidence and establishes self-worth before a negative mindset is ingrained for life.
How can parents bolster skills that may be new to them, like coding?
Parents and teachers do not need any coding background to get their kids started in codeSpark. Being involved and asking questions is the best start - for instance asking “how did you do that?" When a child gets stuck, you do not need to be an expert to help. Simple encouragement goes a long way: “Stick with it - what else can you try?”
How does coding fit into the classroom, whether traditional or distance learning?
Sadly, it sometimes does not - which is part of the reason we started codeSpark six years ago. Teachers’ schedules are already full with mandated subjects, so sometimes coding becomes an optional activity that few kids participate in. Luckily, this is changing as more districts adopt coding curriculum, but we have taken steps to solve this too. First, the app is self-directed - kids can just pick up and start learning with no instruction or coding expertise from the teacher. Second, we are working on a research project funded by the Department of Education to integrate codeSpark into English learning, Social Studies, and other subjects in the existing classroom schedule. Lastly, we are seeing increased use from teachers during distance learning because kids are able to move at their own pace, on any device, with no expensive robots or other obstacles. Since kids are having fun coding with codeSpark - we often hear teachers offer codeSpark to students as a reward for doing their class work!
What sets codeSpark apart from other ways to learn coding?
Coding can seem pretty intimidating if you look at images in the media. We aim to show another perspective - that coding is fun, creative, and collaborative. We go beyond the basic “move the robot” puzzles that tire quickly. We have worked for years developing a platform where kids code their own video games and interactive stories that are meaningful to them. Their creativity has surpassed even our own expectations, with kids creating over 40,000 projects per day! Children can then safely share their projects to get feedback, remix ideas, and join a community with other coders all over the world. That sense of belonging and self-identity as somebody who is good at STEM is the “spark” that we want every kid to experience!
Joe Shochet bio:
Joe Shochet has been developing award-winning interactive experiences for 20 years. In 2014 he co-founded codeSpark, an edtech startup to teach kids the ABC's of computer science using fun gameplay. Previously he was Vice President at Rebel Entertainment, a division of IAC, focused on social and mobile games. Their first product was Dungeon Rampage, an award-winning, and highly rated online game played by over 12 million people worldwide. His career started in 1996 at Disney Imagineering building virtual reality attractions for theme parks and designing ride concepts. Joe was a lead designer and developer of several virtual worlds including the popular Toontown Online, one of the first 3D virtual worlds for children. Joe has a Computer Science degree from the University of Virginia, where his research focused on virtual reality, user interface design, and teaching programming to novices.
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