“It’s weird, but it’s science” – A student in Ogden School District describes their experience in Ogden’s innovative coding program for grades K-6. The coding program that exists in the district was made possible through a grant from Utah STEM Action Center. Ogden School District uses the $125,000 grant in conjunction with the non-profit organization BootUp PD, to fund computer science and coding classes in the district. Students in the district get the unique opportunity to learn coding and technology subjects at a young age.
Coding education in Ogden School District allows kids to develop valuable skills like creative thinking, problem-solving, and communication. These skills translate into all aspects of education and life and set kids up for future success. As the careers in the STEM field continue to expand, coding classes for kids become increasingly beneficial. Teaching coding to young students exposes them to STEM subjects that they may pursue careers in after graduation. Along with the valuable skills gained from coding, students learn to harness technology and use it in effective ways.
Ogden’s coding program is implemented in 9 of their 12 elementary school computer labs. Schools with coding programs in the district have trained lab technicians to help teach students coding concepts during computer time or in after school programs. The 16 trained technicians in the district receive ongoing training so they can provide the most up to date and relevant practices to students. In the future, coding trained educators will be able to help facilitate training for other educators to expand the teaching of coding to the classroom as well. One of the coding trained teachers at Hillcrest Elementary School, Jessica Robbins, understands the importance of teaching coding and the opportunities it can unlock for kids saying, “Seeing it laid out in such an easy, understandable way is amazing. It’s exciting seeing them get creative. Sometimes it can be overwhelming because there’s so much that you can do.”
A recent development from the focus on coding and technology in the Ogden school district is the formation of the Digital Learning Ambassadors Program. The summer program hosts students at a school to complete interesting projects pertaining to coding and STEM subjects. In recent years these projects have included things like creating online games, digital art, logos, and t-shirts, as well as care packages for U.S troops stationed in Africa. The program gives students in grades 5-12 the opportunity to get hands-on fun experience using coding with relevant projects. Students attend the free month-long program four days a week for three hours a day.
To learn more about coding and all of the programs available to students in the Ogden School District, click here!
About Ogden School District
Established in 1849, Ogden City School District is an inner-city district, enriched by multicultural diversity. Ogden School District is committed to providing safe learning environments that stimulate our students’ curiosities, promote continuous improvement, and serve our surrounding communities. We believe that each student has the right to be appropriately challenged through a variety of academic and extra-curricular opportunities, should have access to high quality instruction, and should be supported in their effort to exceed the basic standards.The district strives to provide students and families with programmatic choice through a variety of academic and extra-curricular opportunities.
The Ogden School District consists of thirteen neighborhood elementary schools (K-6), three junior high schools (7-9), two comprehensive high schools (10-12), one alternative high school and one youth-in care school. The district faculty and staff serve approximately 11,500 students and their families. Ogden School District’s vision is to empower excellence through education!
Visit our website at www.ogdensd.org for more information on our district, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitterfor all our latest news.
Media ContactCompany Name: Ogden School DistrictContact Person: Jer BatesEmail: Send EmailPhone: (801) 737-7300Address:1950 Monroe Blvd City: OgdenState: UtahCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.ogdensd.org/
