Coding for Kids
The technological revolution is alive and kicking with a seemingly endless wave of stories highlighting awe-inspiring innovation. Yesterday, it was the out-of-this-world new device your neighbor was showing off. Today, it’s the amazing app your kid downloaded to your phone that’s going to change your life. Tomorrow, who knows?
What’s happening in the world of technology right now? Are the possibilities to create really infinite? And where does it all start? At its core, everything begins with imagination and the ability to think outside the box. So, the question becomes how to bring these new ideas to life. And in the 21st century, one answer is clear: Computer Programming or Coding.
This month we’re featuring QR codes where you’d never expect them, solar panels that feed off the dark, and NFT hoodie art. Sound interesting? It does to us! Here are three STEM stories that we think shine a light on how coding is impacting our world:
QR Codes in the Sky!
A Chinese video-sharing website called Bilibili used drones in its marketing campaign to promote a role-playing video game called Princess Connect! Re:Dive.
Use your phone to scan the QR code below and be directed to Tynker’s homepage
Bilibili sent 1,500 illuminated drones into the sky above Shanghai’s waterfront to form the game’s logo and characters before transforming them into a QR code linked to its homepage. Bilibili focuses on animation, comics, and gaming, letting users submit, view, and add commentary to videos.
Anti-Solar Panels
Everyone knows that solar panels need sunshine to function, which brings up one obvious problem. What if it’s not sunny? According to Aaswath Raman, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, one solution worthy of exploration is generating energy from the cold of space.
Raman realizes that “radiant cooling” will probably never outdo tapping into the sun’s energy, however, it makes sense to use your solar panels to get whatever energy source you can tap into: In this case, pointing your panels toward space at night will make them warm in comparison to the cold of space, causing them to radiate heat as invisible infrared light, which then can be harnessed to generate electricity.
NFT & Hoodies?!
Okay, so you know what a hoodie is. You most likely even own one. What about an NFT? You’ve probably seen those three letters popping up a lot lately, but what is it? NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token, a unique and non-interchangeable unit of data stored on a blockchain. Got it?
Well, the Gap is launching an NFT collection with artist Brandon Sines, famous for his cartoon character, Frank Ape. Just purchase his series of digital hoodie art escalating in price while it decreases in availability, and you’ll be eligible to buy a physical Gap x Frank Ape sweatshirt. Consider it an investment in tech!
Awesome!
At Tynker, we teach kids how to code, so we know that triumphs in technology come in all different sizes. Although some projects will have an enormous global impact and others only fill a unique niche, both are essential to tech’s vibrant fabric.
We can’t wait to see what your child will create with code this year!
