Students of DeLalio Elementary School joined millions of students around the world in learning the value of computer science during Computer Science Education Week, aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, Dec. 8 through 14.
Over the course of the past week, DeLalio students participated in a 20-hour introductory computer science
class, learning the basics of computer programming.
The culmination of the course was an event known globally as Hour of Code, which is hosted by various educational organizations during Computer Science Education Week.
DeLalio Elementary School teamed up with Marines from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29 to showcase their newfound skills during the DeLalio Hour of Code, Dec. 11.
At the beginning of the hour, participating students each received a Marine volunteer or DeLalio staff buddy. Students then guided their buddies through a series of computer programming challenges, using the knowledge they learned over the past week.
“During this event, students in grades K-5 will be sharing their expertise in computer coding,” said Kara Fernandez, DeLalio’s resident Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics teacher. “DeLalio Elementary School is pioneering the way by ensuring that our students are equipped with 21st century critical thinking and problem-solving skills with this exciting introduction to computer science.”
Teaching their students the importance of computer science will help them have a stronger foundation for their future, Fernandez said.
“We believe it is important for our students to be able to control and create technology rather than just consume it,” the Wheaton, Maryland, native said. “We are giving our students the confidence to understand how technology works, the ability to control it and the opportunity to change the future.”
Katalyna and Kellan Meza, students at DeLalio, were part of the
more than 50 million people participating in Hour of Code around the world.
“When I first got to the course I thought that computer science was really good to do and I thought it was good to have a full-time STEAM teacher,” Katalyna said. “It will help
with learning how to solve problems with computers.”
Her brother, Kellan, was especially excited to share his coding expertise with his Marine buddy, during Hour of Code.
“I want to do more coding right now.” Kellan said.
Awareness and involvement in the Hour of Code event has increased by more than 50 million since last year.
To learn more, visit www.code.org.