Serious Computer Programming for Youth

Posted on 31 May 2018

Serious computer programming for youth
Python programming on the GNU/Linux operating system
Offered by The Institute for Computing in Research
https://sites.google.com/view/serious-programming/
Taught by Dr. Mark Galassi, research scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory

The Santa Fe Public Library is offering a free, virtual Programming Camp, which is a 10-hour course focused on kids (6^th grade or older) in elementary, middle and high school, but it is open to anyone.  They will learn to write software in Python on the GNU/Linux operating system. “The goal is to get started on a path that leads to serious programming, rather than using a canned ‘for kids’ programming environment which will never be used for real work”, states Mark Galassi, LANL Research Scientist and the program’s coordinator.

No cost

There is no cost: the course is free and taught by volunteers.

This 10-hour workshop teaches students (6th grade and up) to write software in Python on the GNU/Linux operating system. This is an approach that carries over to real work and science/math/engineering internships.

FOR WHOM: Kids from 6th grade up, but please read the notes on age on the web site: younger kids can sometimes do well in this course.

VENUE: Online with Jitsi meet; you will receive the link.

DATES: Saturday, April 23 (10am-12:30pm and 1:15pm-5:30pm), continuing Sunday, April 24 (1pm-4:45pm) 2021. All times in US/Mountain time zone. (Please check the web site for upcoming courses if you cannot make these dates).

SIGN UP: email Mark Galassi <mark@galassi.org> or call (voice only) +1-505-629-0759.
(NOTE: some schools silently drop outgoing email, so use an email address that works with the outside – use a personal or parent email address!)

NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE: no prior experience is required, but typing practice helps because
we pick up speed!

OVERVIEW
This is a hands-on course focused on students but open to anyone. It will involve much work and a good amount of going beyond one’s comfort zone. The goal is to get started on a path that leads to serious programming, rather than using a toy “for kids” programming environment which will never be used for real work. The course will start with an unusual but important feature: each student should find an old computer or laptop which is not used much anymore, and we will start by installing the GNU/Linux operating system on it. If you cannot find your grandparent’s or neighbor’s old laptop don’t worry: write us and we will have something for you.
Once each student has installed GNU/Linux on their computer we will start programming in Python and get to the point of writing hundreds of lines of python code with several intelligent
algorithms to play a simple strategy game. After this workshop, students can drop in on fortnightly follow-on mini-courses which use programming to explore the arts, mathematics, social science, humanities, and natural science.

(more information at https://sites.google.com/view/serious-programming/ )