COPA Coders is a STEM/STEAM group that runs a CoderDojo and consults with schools in Maricopa, AZ in establishing and maintaining Code Clubs. Both of these programs are part of the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
For more information about STEM, please visit https://www.ed.gov/stem
Raspberry Pi Foundation
The Raspberry Pi Foundation in a non-profit educational organization from the United Kingdom. Most people know them from their line of inexpensive single-board computers that students and hobbyists all around the world use for projects ranging from anything from playing ye olde games from yesteryear inside of refurbished arcade cabinets to sending real-time atmospheric and solar data from orbit in space… and just about everything in between.
However, their organization focuses on teaching youth and they have written and sponsored free curricula to make technology a fundamental part of every child’s formal (and informal) education. Two major programs they have formed further these goals in specific ways.
Code Club
Code Club provides free resources for specific curricula as students begin to explore the world of coding through different projects. Typically students attend Code Club after school for 1 hour, once a week for a semester. Here students begin to forge friendships with classmates around common interests and learn to work as mentors to new club attendees. They primarily target ages 9-13 as they learn:
- Scratch – a block-based logic “language” developed at MIT
- HTML/CSS – “mark-up” language that is the foundation to web and mobile app layout design and content
- Python – a beginner-friendly programming language that uses simple syntax while being powerful enough to create full-fledged games
Here’s a great video explaining what coding is and what students learn as part of Code Club:
Where Can My Student Join a Code Club?
While we do help organize Code Clubs and find volunteers, you will need to check with your student’s school and see if they have plans to start one or already have an existing club. We are also able to help homeschooling groups and micro schools in their efforts to organize and staff Code Clubs for their students just like the local public and charter schools.
What If My Student’s School Doesn’t Have a Code Club?
Code Club is fun but it’s not the only way to learn how to code. There are amazing free resources out there that can help your student learn how to code. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for regular resources.
CoderDojo
In CoderDojos, students become code Ninjas and work together in small and large groups to tackle big problems. They earn badges, complete certificates and can even join in on state-wide, national and international competitions as they pursue their interests in:
- Web development
- Mobile App creation
- Game design
- Animation
- CAD
- Cinematography
- Robotics
- Automation
- And pretty much anything else they are passionate about!
Our Ninjas learn how to self-educate in technology and many other areas to fine-tune their skills and go after solutions to real-world problems. Each week, Ninjas get together to share progress in their self-directed projects, mentor each other, collaborate on larger projects, learn about new technologies from industry-leading engineers, consultants and other professionals who donate their time as Dojo Mentors.
The Dojo promotes life-long learning, giving back to the community, tolerance, collaboration, academic excellence, entrepreneurship, and promotes healthy technology consumption. As your students become Ninjas, they join a world-wide community of bright, motivated youth who strive to produce more than they consume. Along with other STEM groups around the world, Ninjas will take their place among tomorrow’s global leaders, entrepreneurs and technology innovators.
Projects
Ninjas don’t need to complete a specific list of projects and there are literally hundreds to choose from. Here are some samples: https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/coderdojo
As Ninjas put their new knowledge to use, they can begin to experiment with their own projects and invent solutions to real-world problems. We encourage Ninjas to join the annual CoderDojo Coolest Projects event and showcase their talents to a global audience: