Coding and Robotics

Why Coding and Robotics?

The Topeka Public Schools has a coding and robotics initiative for grades PK-12. Coding and robotics will be integrated into the science and mathematics content areas. Learning coding is important for students as experimentation builds mastery in sequencing skills counting, problem solving, logical thinking, cause and effect, and critical thinking. Coding and robotics work together as the robot requires code to accomplish tasks. Programming is a complex skill to learn, but when we use physical robots children immediately see what goes wrong with their code as the robots run exactly what was programmed. There are two parts to learning code - syntax and function. Our district emphasizes function for elementary and most middle school students as it teaches the concepts of programming without being frustrated by the syntax. Syntax is line coding, and a misplaced comma, semicolon, or the incorrect case of letter can cause programs with the code. We introduce syntax in 8th grade and continue it through high school. Each section is more detailed in the information below.

"I think everyone in this country should learn to program a computer. Everyone should learn a computer language because it teaches you how to think. I think of computer science as a liberal art.” --Steve Jobs

According to EdWeb, ninety percent of parents want their child to study computer science. It is estimated that by 2021 there will be 1.4 million jobs in computer science and coding, and only 4 million students ready to go into that field.

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