It’s really special to watch children’s eyes light up when they’re coding, creating, and excited and inspired while learning new things. Code Night or Hour of Code is an internationally recognized event for Computer Science Education Week. Our school participates every year.

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Several large rooms are set up with interactive exhibits for children to explore, often including a speaker’s gallery for TED-talk-style discussions led by students who are passionate about their various topics. The children demonstrate their excitement as they explore the world of computer programming, robotics, machine learning, DNA sequencing, mechanical engineering, and many other fields.

 

Computer science is integrated into the STEAM curriculum throughout the year at Hudson Montessori School. Our robust STEAM program is why we achieved certification by the National Institute for STEM Education in 2019. We were the first STEM-certified campus in New Jersey.

 

Highlights from past Code Night events:
 

• Learning how to code in Scratch Jr, Scratch, or Python

• Introduction to artificial intelligence and experimenting with machine learning

• Scavenger hunt to collect elements—copper, silicon, indium, and germanium—to build a mock computer

• Decoding a DNA sequence

• Code a robot to “go to school”

• Experiment with code robots Finchrobot, Dot and Dash, and Ozobot

• “TED-talks” led by children on coding, science, and their research projects

• Middle School students featured their experience participating in the Stock Market Game, highlighting the progress of “trade and technology”

 

Computer Science Education Week is held annually in December to celebrate the birthday of computer science pioneer Admiral Grace Hopper, who contributed to the development of word-based programming languages and the development of modern-day use of computers for business applications. Code.org first launched the first Hour of Code event on December 9, 2013.