In 2020, we discovered many new things. We learned how to use video meetings for school and work, and even realized that wearing pajama bottoms could be part of our school uniform! We also picked up new words like “social distancing” and “essential workers.” It was a year where we understood that feeling lonely sometimes is okay, especially when we’re tired or feeling down. We saw that while there are still unfair things in the world, there are also heroes who inspire us. More than ever, we realized how connected we all are, even though not everyone has the same access to technology.
One important lesson from 2020 is that computer science is crucial for building the future we want. By learning computer science, we can do amazing things like predict forest fires and earthquakes or help create vaccines for diseases. It also helps us stay connected, make art and music, and ensure everyone has a chance to succeed. Building a brighter future requires all of us to work together.
Computer science is like a superpower! It allows us to solve problems and create new things. For example, scientists use computer science to understand natural disasters better and to develop new medicines. Artists and musicians use it to create digital masterpieces. By learning computer science, you can be part of making the world a better place.
Hello, I’m Hill Harper, and I want to invite you to join the Hour of Code. Whether you’re at school or learning from home, spending just one hour learning computer science can be a fun and exciting way to start your journey. The Hour of Code is a global event where millions of students try coding for the first time. It’s a chance to explore how technology works and to see what you can create with it.
So, are you ready to dive into the world of computer science? Let’s get started and see what amazing things you can achieve!
Explore your creativity by using a simple coding platform like Scratch to create a piece of digital art. Experiment with different shapes, colors, and patterns. Share your masterpiece with your classmates and explain the coding steps you took to create it.
Learn how computer science can help predict weather patterns. Use a basic coding tool to simulate weather changes. Discuss how technology can help us prepare for natural disasters and the importance of accurate predictions.
Take a virtual tour of a tech company to see how computer science is used in the real world. Pay attention to the different roles and technologies you see. After the tour, write a short paragraph about a job that interests you and why.
Use a beginner-friendly coding platform to design a simple game. Think about the rules, objectives, and how players will interact with your game. Test it with your friends and gather feedback to improve it.
Prepare a set of questions and conduct a virtual interview with a computer scientist. Ask about their daily tasks, challenges, and how they use computer science to solve problems. Share your findings with the class and discuss what you learned.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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We learned a lot in 2020, like how to navigate video meetings and that pajama bottoms can count as a school uniform. We learned new words and phrases like social distancing and essential workers. We learned it’s okay to feel lonely sometimes when we’re tired or discouraged. We’ve learned that injustice persists, but so do heroes, and that more than ever, we’re all connected. However, the digital divide is still significant.
We’ve learned that to build the future we want, computer science is more important than ever. So we keep learning. We learn computer science to predict forest fires and earthquakes and to help design vaccines for diseases. We learn computer science to connect with each other and to make art and music. We learn computer science to ensure no one gets left behind because building a brighter future will take all of us.
Hey, this is Hill Harper, and whether you’re in the classroom or learning from home, doing an hour of code is a great way to learn computer science.
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Computer – A machine that can store and process information, and is used for many tasks like playing games, writing, and drawing. – Example sentence: “We used the computer to design a colorful poster for our art project.”
Science – The study of how things work in the world, including computers and technology. – Example sentence: “In science class, we learned how computers can help us understand the weather.”
Technology – Tools and machines that help us solve problems and do new things, like computers and smartphones. – Example sentence: “Technology allows artists to create amazing digital paintings on their tablets.”
Coding – Writing instructions for a computer to follow, which is like telling it what to do. – Example sentence: “We practiced coding by making a simple game in our computer class.”
Art – Creative activities like drawing, painting, and designing, which can also be done on computers. – Example sentence: “Using a computer, we can create digital art that looks just like a real painting.”
Music – Sounds that are made in a way that is pleasant to hear, which can also be created using computers. – Example sentence: “With special software, we composed our own music on the computer.”
Learn – To gain knowledge or skills by studying, practicing, or being taught. – Example sentence: “We learn how to use new computer programs in our technology class.”
Future – The time that is yet to come, where technology might be even more advanced. – Example sentence: “In the future, computers might be able to create art all by themselves.”
Create – To make something new, like a piece of art or a computer program. – Example sentence: “We used a computer to create a digital storybook with pictures and text.”
Heroes – People who are admired for their courage or outstanding achievements, sometimes in fields like science and technology. – Example sentence: “Our heroes in technology have invented amazing tools that help us every day.”
