Coding Playgrounds: Free Workshops for Kids
Know any children between the ages of 4-8 interested in programming and robotics? Come join DevTech every Wednesday 3:30-5:00 for free kids workshops! The Coding Playground Workshop Series is a series of hour and a half-long events for kids to explore a wide range of new technologies including, but not limited to, the ScratchJr programming app and KIBO Robotics Kits. In these workshops children will engage with storytelling, problem solving, art, music, building, and games. Children can sign up for one session, or all sessions! All are free. We just ask that families complete the necessary sign up forms for each session prior to attending. All workshops will be held at DevTech’s early childhood makerspace located on the Boston College Campus. Read more about specific sessions below:
Wednesday, April 5th: ScratchJr Intermediate
An hour and a half lesson on ScratchJr using intermediate coding skills. ScratchJr is a visual programming language using block based coding designed for children ages 5-8, we are recommending this intermediate session to children in 1st and 2nd grade. In this workshop, children will create more complex programs and construct One Sentence Stories. Children will work independently and in collaboration to create unique coding projects while learning important concepts of literacy and computer science!
Wednesday, March 29th: Programming and Robotics
In addition to ScratchJr and KIBO, DevTech houses many other programming and robotic tools for young children. In this hour and a half long session, children ages 5-8 will have the opportunity to try out new tools and activities such as Botley, Code-a-Pillar, Artie 3000, 3Doodler, and Snap Circuits.
Wednesday, March 22nd: Getting Started with KIBO
An hour and a half introductory lesson to KIBO Robotics. KIBO is a tangible, block based programming language and robotics kit for children ages 5-8. In this introductory lesson, children will not only learn the basics of how to use KIBO through the Coding as a Playground and Coding as Another Language pedagogies, they will also explore important concepts of robotics, computer science, and STEAM.
Wednesday, March 8th: Getting Started with ScratchJr
An hour and a half introductory lesson to ScratchJr. ScratchJr is a visual programming language using block based coding designed for children ages 5-8. In this introductory workshop, children will learn the basics of how to use ScratchJr through the Coding as a Playground and Coding as Another Language pedagogies. Children will work independently and in collaboration to create unique ScratchJr projects while learning important concepts of literacy and computer science!
Wednesday, March 1st: Exploring Programming and Robotics
In addition to ScratchJr and KIBO, DevTech houses many other programming and robotic tools for young children. In this hour and a half long session, children ages 5-8 will have the opportunity to try out new tools and activities such as Botley, Code-a-Pillar, Artie 3000, 3Doodler, and Snap Circuits.
February 20th-24th: Coding Brain 3 Day Workshops
“The Coding Brain” three day workshop is a special offering being held during Massachusetts Schools February Vacation week. This opportunity is specifically for first graders (ages 6-7). Over the three days, children will be introduced to the basics of neuroscience and computer programming, using the ScratchJr programming app. On the last day of the session, we will hold a showcase for family and friends to see children’s final projects: a ScratchJr project about how the brain works! Following this workshop, children will also be given the opportunity to participate in the Coding Brain research study, where we will investigate their brain activation while using ScratchJr!
There will be two sessions of this workshop: Session 1 will run from Monday to Wednesday from 2:00-3:30 PM and Session 2 will be run from Wednesday to Friday from 9:30-11:00 AM. All sessions will be held at the DevTech workshop space on the Boston College campus.
In order to participate, we ask that children attend all three lessons of the workshop.
Check back soon, we’re adding more sessions every Wednesday through May!
Family Coding Days with KIBO and ScratchJr
Family Coding Day is a community event where parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family members, and children can work together to create projects using the free ScratchJr programming app and/or the KIBO Robotics kit!
Who are Family Coding Days intended for?
This event is for anyone who wants to create a ScratchJr and/or KIBO Robotics community! It can be done through schools, museum, after-school programs, community centers, or anywhere else where families can come together. Children between the ages of 5-7 as well as their family members (including siblings or family members who are older or younger) are encouraged to participate!
Interested in hosting a Family Coding Day? Check out these free instructional materials:
Download the ScratchJr Family Coding Day protocol
Download the KIBO Robotics Family Coding Day protocol
Learn more About ScratchJr:
Check out our free downloadable ScratchJr Parent Guide for parents and teachers!
Check out ScratchJr.org and DevTech’s Coding as Another Language website for more information on how KIBO and ScratchJr are used in classrooms and communities around the world!