Local Kids Join Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and President Obama for an “Hour of Code” Event

Computer programming is no longer just for grown-ups. A group of elementary school students from Norton Space & Aeronautics Academy (NSAA) in San Bernardino, joined nearly 15 million students from around the world to participate in the “Hour of Code” event during Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 9-15). The five day initiative was led by computer education advocates, Code.org, who enlisted the help of tech titans like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey to promote the event. Even President Barack Obama was featured in a promotional video kicking off the Hour of Code. Students were able to learn basic programming skills using fun and entertaining games and online tutorials through the Code.org website. A select group of 4th, 5th, and 7th grade students at NSAA are learning computer programming through an innovative pilot program started by students from Cal State San Bernardino called Kids That Code. “We chose NSAA because the school is focused on technology and science and Principal Lupita Girard promotes college and careers to the young students,” said Kids That Code program coordinator, Alfonso Anaya. “We wrapped up a successful six week programming class by participating in the Hour of Code and the kids loved it.” The children also received special certificates for completing the month and a half long Kids That Code program. Vice principal at NSAA, Toni Preciado, added, “Students at NSAA were excited to participate in the "Hour of Code" event. The Kids That Code program has built excitement and interest around computer programming and overall use of technology on our campus." The Kids That Code program was created as a solution for the lack of technology workers in the United States and especially here in the Inland Empire. Specially trained student instructors from CSUSB have been enthusiastic about introducing programming to young children. “Our programming class is just the tip of the iceberg,” said instructor Jonnell Tyler. “We are also going to teach mobile app creation, robotics and even 3D printing,” said Tyler.