Hi everyone! Welcome to your first Hour of Code. I hope you’re all doing great. This week has been incredibly exciting for me at Code.org. We’re about to celebrate our second anniversary, and it’s amazing to see how much we’ve accomplished in such a short time. This week marks the second year of the Hour of Code campaign, which we launched a year ago. So far, 70 million students have tried coding for an hour, which is unbelievable! Each day this week, 5 million students have participated.
What started as a simple idea just 16 or 17 months ago has grown into a campaign reaching students worldwide, speaking every language, and from all backgrounds and ages. The idea is simple: learning how computers work and creating technology is something everyone can do, no matter their age. It’s been exciting to create something with such a big impact, and I’m thrilled to share this moment with you.
Let’s start with a question from Amy Beecham at David Leader Middle School in Ontario. Hi, Amy! You asked what inspired me to study computer science and how I felt when I realized I was good at it. I grew up in Tehran, Iran, during a war with Iraq. It was a tough time, and there wasn’t much to do. One day, my dad brought home a computer without any games or programs, but he gave me a book to teach myself. I learned from that book, and once I got good at it, I felt empowered. There’s a special feeling when you can think of something, imagine it, and then create it. Seeing your imagination come to life on the screen is one of the best feelings in the world.
Next, we have a question from Katie Frederick’s class at Clinton Middle School in Michigan. Hi, I’m Mikayla Fletcher, and this is Ashley Gauge. Our question is: why are people so afraid of coding when it’s everywhere?
That’s a great question! I don’t think people are afraid of coding anymore. In the last two years, we’ve changed that perception. Three years ago, many thought coding was as complex as calculus or rocket science, only for geniuses. Movies and TV shows often portrayed coders as isolated individuals, which added to this stereotype. However, now that 70 million students, including many middle school girls and boys from diverse backgrounds, have tried coding, it’s clear that coding is no longer scary. It’s becoming more popular, and people like will.i.am have even said that coders are the new rock stars.
Next question from Montgomery High School in Skillman, New Jersey. Hi, I’m Mike Runninger, and we are from Montgomery High School. Our question is: what is the best way to pursue a career in computer science?
There are many ways to pursue a career in computer science. The standard route is to go to college, get a degree, and then find a job. That’s how I got into it. However, there’s a big gap between the number of graduates and the number of jobs available. About 40,000 students graduate with a computer science degree each year, but there are 140,000 new jobs in the field. The great thing about computer science is that you don’t necessarily need a college degree to be successful. Many successful programmers are self-taught or have dropped out of college. The computer doesn’t care about your background; it just executes the instructions you give it.
My first job as a programmer was when I was in ninth grade, and I was getting paid well for my age. If you work on your skills, you can learn at home or at school. It’s a fantastic career. Even if you want to become a doctor or a lawyer, understanding technology is crucial because every field is being transformed by it.
Next question from PG Charter Middle School in Atlanta, Georgia. Hi, I’m Will Wood, and our question is: what kind of jobs are available for people who are both creative and skilled in computer science?
That’s a great question! Computer science is a naturally creative field. Many jobs require a combination of creativity and problem-solving. For example, game design is a clear intersection of both skills. Additionally, many movie effects and animated films are created using computer programming. The people behind these projects use their creativity to bring ideas to life through technology.
Next question from Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington. Hi, what is your favorite app and why?
This is a tough question! One app I really enjoy is Uber. I travel a lot for Code.org, and Uber makes it easy to get around in new cities without having to rent a car. It connects the digital world to the physical world, which is an exciting aspect of technology.
Next question from Bedford Charter Foreign Studies in Northridge, California. Hi, my name is Caitlin, and my question is: what’s another startup you enjoyed working on and why?
I’ve worked with many startups, but one of the most fun was Dropbox. I got involved when it was just two people, and now it has grown to hundreds of employees and millions of users. It’s amazing to see how small teams can create significant impact and value.
Next question from Boyd Arthur Middle School in Fenton, Michigan. Hi, my name is Brendan Snow, and my question is: what qualities and skills do you look for in people who work at Code.org?
That’s a fantastic question! At Code.org, we have a variety of roles, including software engineers and curriculum developers. The most important quality we look for is adaptability. Things move quickly here, and we need people who can adjust to change and take on new challenges.
Lastly, from East Cobb Middle School in Marietta, Georgia. Hi, my name is Akeen Lauren, and our question is: how do you see computer science impacting the future?
You’re living in a unique time where technology is evolving rapidly. In the next few decades, we’ll see significant changes in transportation, medicine, and construction. For example, self-driving cars and 3D-printed houses are already in development. The possibilities are endless, and if you can dream it, it’s likely possible with technology.
Thank you all for your support of computer science education. The Hour of Code is just the beginning, and I encourage you to continue learning and exploring this field. You can all be part of the next wave of innovators and creators!
Try creating a simple game using a platform like Scratch or Tynker. This will help you understand the basics of coding logic and creativity. Think about a game you enjoy and try to recreate a simple version of it. Share your game with your classmates and get feedback!
Reach out to someone who works in the tech industry or is studying computer science. Prepare a list of questions about their journey, challenges, and what they enjoy about coding. Share your findings with the class to inspire others.
Research different careers in computer science that combine creativity and technology, such as game design or digital animation. Create a presentation or poster about one career path that interests you and explain why it might be a good fit for you.
Think about a problem in your community or school that could be solved with technology. Work in groups to brainstorm and design a tech solution, such as an app or website. Present your idea to the class and discuss how it could be implemented.
Write a short essay or create a video about how you think computer science will impact the future. Consider areas like transportation, medicine, or entertainment. Share your vision with the class and discuss the potential benefits and challenges.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
—
Hi everyone! Welcome to your first Hour of Code. I hope everyone is doing well. This has been an incredibly exciting week for me at my organization, Code.org. We are just about to celebrate our second anniversary, and it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come in such a short time. This week, we are celebrating the second year of the Hour of Code campaign, which we launched a year ago. As of today, we’ve had 70 million students try one hour of coding, which is an unbelievable number! Throughout this week, 5 million students have participated each day.
What started as an idea just 16 or 17 months ago has blossomed into a campaign that is reaching students in every country, speaking every language, and coming from every demographic and age group. The simple idea behind this is that learning how computers work and how to create technology is something everyone can learn, regardless of age. It’s been so exciting to create something that has had such an impact, and I’m thrilled to share this moment with you.
Now, I’m open to questions. Let’s start with Amy Beecham from David Leader Middle School in Ontario. Hi, Amy!
Sure! The question is what inspired me to study computer science and how I felt the first time I realized I was good at it. I grew up in Tehran, Iran, during a war with Iraq. It was a challenging time, and there wasn’t much to do. One day, my dad brought home a computer, which didn’t have any games or programs, but he gave me a book and said I could teach myself. I learned from that book, and once I became good at it, I felt empowered. There’s a special feeling when you can think of something, imagine it, and then create it. Seeing your imagination reflected on the screen is one of the best feelings in the world.
Next question from Katie Frederick’s class at Clinton Middle School in Michigan. Hi, I’m Mikayla Fletcher, and this is Ashley Gauge. Our question is: why are people so afraid of coding when it’s everywhere?
That’s a really good question! I actually don’t think people are afraid of coding anymore. In the last two years, we’ve changed that perception. Three years ago, many people thought coding was as complex as calculus or rocket science, and that it was only for geniuses. Movies and TV shows often portray coders as isolated individuals, which contributed to this stereotype. However, now that we’ve had 70 million students, including many middle school girls and boys from diverse backgrounds, it’s clear that coding is no longer scary. It’s becoming more popular, and people like will.i.am have even said that coders are the new rock stars.
Next question from Montgomery High School in Skillman, New Jersey. Hi, I’m Mike Runninger, and we are from Montgomery High School. Our question is: what is the best way to pursue a career in computer science?
There are many ways to pursue a career in computer science. The standard route is to go to college, get a degree, and then find a job. That’s how I got into it. However, there’s a huge mismatch between the number of graduates and the number of jobs available. About 40,000 students graduate with a computer science degree each year, but there are 140,000 new jobs in the field. The great thing about computer science is that you don’t necessarily need a college degree to be successful. Many successful programmers are self-taught or have dropped out of college. The computer doesn’t care about your background; it just executes the instructions you give it.
My first job as a programmer was when I was in ninth grade, and I was getting paid well for my age. If you work on your skills, you can learn at home or at school. It’s a fantastic career. Even if you want to become a doctor or a lawyer, understanding technology is crucial because every field is being transformed by it.
Next question from PG Charter Middle School in Atlanta, Georgia. Hi, I’m Will Wood, and our question is: what kind of jobs are available for people who are both creative and skilled in computer science?
That’s a great question! Computer science is a naturally creative field. Many jobs require a combination of creativity and problem-solving. For example, game design is a clear intersection of both skills. Additionally, many movie effects and animated films are created using computer programming. The people behind these projects are using their creativity to bring ideas to life through technology.
Next question from Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington. Hi, what is your favorite app and why?
This is a tough question! One app I really enjoy is Uber. I travel a lot for Code.org, and Uber makes it easy to get around in new cities without having to rent a car. It connects the digital world to the physical world, which is an exciting aspect of technology.
Next question from Bedford Charter Foreign Studies in Northridge, California. Hi, my name is Caitlin, and my question is: what’s another startup you enjoyed working on and why?
I’ve worked with many startups, but one of the most fun was Dropbox. I got involved when it was just two people, and now it has grown to hundreds of employees and millions of users. It’s amazing to see how small teams can create significant impact and value.
Next question from Boyd Arthur Middle School in Fenton, Michigan. Hi, my name is Brendan Snow, and my question is: what qualities and skills do you look for in people who work at Code.org?
That’s a fantastic question! At Code.org, we have a variety of roles, including software engineers and curriculum developers. The most important quality we look for is adaptability. Things move quickly here, and we need people who can adjust to change and take on new challenges.
Lastly, from East Cobb Middle School in Marietta, Georgia. Hi, my name is Akeen Lauren, and our question is: how do you see computer science impacting the future?
You’re living in a unique time where technology is evolving rapidly. In the next few decades, we’ll see significant changes in transportation, medicine, and construction. For example, self-driving cars and 3D-printed houses are already in development. The possibilities are endless, and if you can dream it, it’s likely possible with technology.
Thank you all for your support of computer science education. The Hour of Code is just the beginning, and I encourage you to continue learning and exploring this field. You can all be part of the next wave of innovators and creators!
—
This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Code – A set of instructions written in a programming language that a computer can understand and execute. – Example sentence: “Learning to write code can help you create your own computer programs and apps.”
Computers – Electronic devices that process data and perform tasks according to a set of instructions. – Example sentence: “Computers have become essential tools for both work and entertainment.”
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and everyday life. – Example sentence: “Advancements in technology have made it easier to connect with people around the world.”
Coding – The process of writing instructions for a computer to perform specific tasks. – Example sentence: “Coding can be a fun and rewarding way to solve problems and create new software.”
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – Example sentence: “Computer science is a field that combines technology and logic to solve complex problems.”
Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to create something new or solve problems. – Example sentence: “Creativity is important in coding because it helps you come up with innovative solutions.”
Programming – The act of writing computer programs using a specific language to perform tasks or solve problems. – Example sentence: “Programming allows you to build websites, games, and applications from scratch.”
Skills – The ability to do something well, often gained through training or experience. – Example sentence: “Developing coding skills can open up many opportunities in the tech industry.”
Career – A profession or occupation pursued as a long-term endeavor, often requiring specialized knowledge or skills. – Example sentence: “A career in computer programming can be both challenging and rewarding.”
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. – Example sentence: “Education in computer science can provide a strong foundation for a future in technology.”
