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? 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.
At Tynker, we teach kids how to code, so we know that triumphs in technology come in 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.
Meanwhile, your kid is obsessed with making new Minecraft skins. But, don’t worry. When you add Tynker to the Minecraft mix, they’re also learning code!
Here are some recent STEM stories that shine a light on how coding is impacting our world:
NFTs in the NBA
Say what? What exactly is an NFT? An NFT is a non-fungible token, a unit of data stored on a digital ledger called a blockchain, which then certifies that this digital asset is unique and not interchangeable. The blockchain is what tracks ownership of the file.
Still confused? Well, now we’re going to add NBA basketball to the mix. The Golden State Warriors have announced that they’re going to auction memorabilia from their championship teams as NFTs, now through May 2nd.
“We’re always looking to be innovative and think about new ways to engage our fans.”
—Brandon Schneider (Warriors Chief Revenue Officer)
Recently minted on blockchain as NFTs are the Warriors Championship Rings and Commemorative Ticket Stubs. For example, you can bid on individual championship rings or what is certainly going to be a hot item, a 1-of-1 Warriors Six-Time NBA Champion Ring. Schneider added:
“There’s a lot more you can do with an NFT than a static sports card.”
Of course, in order to bid you’ll have to use cryptocurrency. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Warriors Community Foundation, supporting education and youth development. Good luck!
Robotic Limb Control
Researchers are working hard to find better ways to equip and control prosthetic limbs. In recent years, patients have been able to set a control to initiate their prosthetic to walk. And now progress is being made in empowering the patient’s brain to tell lower-body exoskeletons what to do.
“When it comes to more than just walking, such as playing tennis or freestyle dancing, it’d be good to have neural control.”
—Helen Huang (Biomedical Engineer at North Carolina State)
Using a patient’s thoughts, or neural control, researchers are attaching sensors to their robotic limbs that can detect bioelectric signals, telling them to move, sent from their brain to their muscles. Huang added:
“We’ve found that people can activate these residual muscles, but the way they contract them is different from that of an able-bodied person, so they need training on how to use these muscles.”
With physical therapy, patients are doing more and more. Now, researchers are trying to see if prosthetics can help people avoid obstacles. And they’re even investigating if their original neural pathways can be restored.
Awesome!
All these advancements in technology began to evolve and take shape with CODE. That’s why Tynker is so excited to teach the next generation of computer programmers.
We can’t wait to see what they’ll create with code!
