Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker, 5th grader Elwenn from New York! She loves animals and would like to be a vet when she grows up, perhaps getting involved in animal rescue. Elwenn spoke with us about her experience coding with Tynker:
How did you get introduced to Tynker?
I’ve been coding for two years now but I only used Tynker this summer because my dad made a little schedule since we’re not going to a summer camp.
How did you learn how to use Tynker?
I liked Turing’s Tower for a bit since it was a longer thing!
Have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?
I definitely think I know how to use blocks better because the last website for coding that I went to was a little hard since they didn’t have any tutorials, so I think it’s definitely improved since I’ve started.
How did you feel when you found out your project had been featured?
I had been excited for the announcement for a few days. So I’m not sure if my family saw this, but I sort of started to very lightly cry. And I was very excited!
What’s your favorite project you’ve made so far?
I really like the Lapras I made for the Summer Code Jam. I think that one’s either my favorite or the parrot I made because I’ve always wanted a mango-looking parrot to be added to Minecraft.
Where did you get the idea for your project?
I’ve been wanting mango parrots so I sort of did that off my own inspiration and some pictures because I know what they look like.
How do you get inspiration for your projects?
The community board definitely helps, but sometimes like different memories of things that happened to me helps inspire me, and sometimes I search the web for pictures, so I can get the colors right.
Why do you like to code?
I think it’s a fun activity for your brain to, like, keep it running during the summer-long breaks. And I think it’s definitely pretty fun to do as well, because, I mean, there’s really not much that feels better than having your own project completed.
What’s your favorite way to use code?
I really like making things in Minecraft or like in normal code. I just really like making things into either storylines or like telling them how to act so I think it’s definitely exciting.
What do you do with a project when you’re done with it?
Usually, if I’m really proud of it, I like to show it to my family. And then I post if I’m proud of it.
What are you planning to make next?
It really depends on what I want to make, but I think there’s something with normal code with like the sound effects. Maybe I could try a different mob from Minecraft that just doesn’t exist or a modified part of it.
What’s the best thing about Tynker?
I really like how you can share your posts with the world and then look at their different things as well. When I finished posting my mango parrot. I searched and they’re like thirty or more different ones so I got to see how they did it, what their point of view was.
Has learning to code prepared you for the future?
I definitely know when I’m older, there’s gonna be things like computer classes that we’re supposed to have. So, I think it’s gonna be easier for me then to, you know, find my way around the computer, and maybe even help others and if they’re stuck because they never did coding.
Do you think other kids should try coding?
I think they should because it’s a fun experience. And because, as I said, it’s easier than just mulling your brain wander for the entire summer like you could create things and have fun with them. Like if you create something in Minecraft, then you can play around with it for an hour or so and see how it reacts.
What advice would you give to kids starting with Tynker?
I think that sometimes when people are just starting out to code, it’s a little hard for them and they can get frustrated. So I would say, if you need help you can always try to ask a family member or look on the community project to see if anybody else did it before and see how they did it if they could because you can look at the remix project, and you can see how they tried to fix the bugs that you’re trying to fix and things like that.
Bonus: What’s a fun fact about you?
I really go all out around animals like I told you before because I have all these different animals. I mean, we’re even taking care of a friend’s dog right now since they’re on vacation, so I really love animals a lot.
Code Jam Questions
Have you done a Tynker Code Jam before?
No, this is my first one!
Did you have any interesting challenges to figure out?
If you use one of the flippers of the turtle to make the neck, it’ll move like a flipper so I had to use the bottom of the turtle where it wraps around its belly, the shell. I had to incline them so that’s why the spikes are sort of in decline.
Will you keep learning more about coding?
Yeah, I think I’m definitely going to try after I get out of my Minecraft coding stay.
What are some of your hobbies?
I like to usually be outside because we have a pretty big yard. We have a garden, and we have a chicken coop greenhouse, so it’s nice to be outside with my sister, my mother, and my father.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Not too much yet but I think something like a vet or an animal rescue, something that has to do with animals.
What’s your favorite subject in school?
I really like math or social studies. I really like social stuff because you get to learn about the world around you that you don’t really know about, and math is fun when you get to do things that you want to learn, but you didn’t know before.
Parent Questions
Elwenn’s father, Yannick, spoke with us about his daughter learning to code with Tynker:
This summer, Tynker, simply perfect because she was interested in Minecraft so there were those courses that she could both enjoy, especially changing the behavior of the animals on Minecraft, always very focused on that aspect. During the summer because of COVID, she couldn’t go to summer camp so it was a little bit frustrating, but the fact that she was able to learn new things and new skills so we’re very happy for her.
How do you support her coding endeavors?
We really enjoy the fact that she’s interested and dedicated to it, so we offer the possibility to continue to go on Tynker during the year because it is something that she really enjoys. Coding is a way for her to be able to express herself through different media.
What benefits do you think coding has for Elwenn?
Ultimately it’s something that fits her so that’s a win-win situation for us. It’s becoming very important to understand all the machine works and so by that I mean the computer. At least being able to understand the argumentation and logic between the code so I think it’s a skill that the newer generation definitely will require more and at least broaden opportunities for her in the future.
Do you feel that she’s better prepared for the future?
Yes, so especially in the current future where we are able to code is a skill that is going to be beneficial for her.
Thank you!
We want to thank Elwenn and her mother for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We can’t wait to see what Elwenn creates next – HAPPY CODING!
