Coding for Kids
Our 2020 Summer Code Jam has come to an end. We were so impressed with the tens of thousands of submissions from throughout the summer and we’re so excited to talk to some of our winners about their awesome projects and experiences with Tynker!
Our Code Jam winners come from around the world, not just the U.S. Meet our next winner, 10-year-old Lionel, a fourth grader who submitted from his hometown of Surabay, Indonesia! Let’s check out his project and hear more about his experiences with Tynker and the Summer Code Jam.
How did you get introduced to Tynker and how long have you been coding?
My Mom found it on social media, and I’ve been using it for a couple weeks and I’ve been coding for a few months.
How did you feel when you found out your project had been featured?
I was surprised, because I didn’t think I could win!
Where did you get the idea for your winning project? How long did it take you to make?
It took me a few minutes. The hardest part was getting the actors to work.
Why do you like to code?
I like to code and make games since I like playing computer games.
What’s the best thing about Tynker?
The animations are smooth.
How do you think learning to code has prepared you for the future?
It helps me to think for myself!
Do you think other kids should try coding? Why’s that?
Yes, because it’s fun and can help with math!
What advice would you give to kids starting out with Tynker?
Try to learn what the blocks mean, and use the tutorials.
Are you going to do other Tynker Code Jam Challenges/weeks? Yes!
What do you want to do with their prize money?
My dad says he will buy some books for me.
We also spoke with Lionel’s father Christian, to get his take on Lionel’s exciting Code Jam win, and his perspective on Lionel learning to code in general. “I’ve seen his projects grow so much from the projects before,” Christian told us. “I tell him if you like to code then do it, use my laptop and everything. I support him very much for the coding, anything that makes him improve.”
Christian’s very excited about the different skills that coding with Tynker is teaching Lionel. “It teaches him math and physics. For Lionel, it can fill his spare time, he can be coding instead of playing video games, and he makes games for his brothers to play together.”
Our thanks to Lionel and Christian for chatting with us about their Tynker experience, and congratulations again to Lionel for his achievements! Happy coding!
