FOR RELEASE: Contact: Donna Molvik
December 2, 2015 509.447.2481 ext. 6500
509.671.3194 (mobile)
Hour of Code Coming to Newport
Students and Adults Have Three Opportunities to Delve into Learning How to Code
NEWPORT, WA – The Hour of Code is an engaging hands-on computer programming introduction for students and adults by working through tutorials based off popular themes like Star Wars, Frozen, Angry Birds, and Minecraft. The Grizzly Discovery Center, Newport School District’s afterschool program, will be hosting the Hour of Code during Computer Science Education Week on Wednesday, December 9th from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Stratton Elementary. The grant’s community partners, Exbabylon IT Solutions and The Curiosity Factory makerspace, will be volunteering as coding coaches for this free event open to Newport area families.
The Grizzly Discovery Center is funded through a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant to serve academically at risk students in grades k-12th. One of the grant’s objectives is to increase interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and careers. “The Hour of Code aligns well with this objective as it provides an entertaining and engaging way for students and their parents to learn the basics of coding as a 21st Century skill,” said Donna Molvik, program director, Grizzly Discovery Center. In addition to learning the basics of how to code using Google Chromebooks and computers, participants will also learn how to code without computers, an exercise in abstract thinking skills using symbols, learning how to break large tasks into smaller tasks, and finding patterns. Useful stats on the topic of the importance of teaching computer science can be found at the Hour of Code’s website at: https://hourofcode.com.
Event organizers also believe the STEM theme complements Pend Oreille County’s identity as high-tech, high-rec, and envision Newport becoming a rural STEM community. In addition to the Grizzly Discovery Center’s event on December 9th, WSU Extension’s Tech Wizards program will host the Hour of Code on Monday, December 7th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Cusick Community Center, and The Curiosity Factory makerspace will host the Hour of Code on Tuesday, December 8th from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the WSU Extension building located at 227 S. Garden Avenue in Newport.
For more information about the events contact Donna Molvik, Grizzly Discovery Center program director, at 509.447.2481 extension 6500 or by email at .
About the Grizzly Discovery Center
The Grizzly Discovery Center is funded through a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, made possible by the visionary partnership between Newport School District and Pend Oreille County WSU Extension. The program serves academically at-risk students in grades k-12th through an after-school program during the regular school year and also during the month of July each summer. The GDC’s mission is to provide a positive, safe, and stimulating educational environment that nurtures a passion for learning, enhances self-esteem, and brings together family and community.
Contact:
Donna Molvik
Program Director
Grizzly Discovery Center
509.447.2481 ext. 6500
509.671.3194 (mobile)
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