Coding for Kids
For Kareyn, Coding is a Storytelling Outlet
Kareyn is a 12-year-old from Texas who is homeschooled with her two sisters. She’s published some amazing storytelling projects to the Tynker community, so we asked her some questions about her creative process and what motivates her to code.
What are your hobbies? I like knitting and reading.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A pharmacist. I got interested in it because I asked my dad, “What makes a lot of money?” and he said, “Pharmacist.” Then I did a report on microbiology and coccus bacteria, and I was like, “I really like this. I think I’d like pharmacy.”
How did you get introduced to coding? When I was really little, probably about six, we were on a website, and we made a game where you’re trying to get a crab past the witches to get to the other side. Our dad helped us a lot.
Do you ever look at the projects in the Tynker community? Yes, and I really like those. I especially like the games, like there’s this Mario Cart one where you have to get the coins. I also like the ones with complex stories, but there’s not as many like that.
What’s your favorite feature in Tynker? I use coding as a storytelling outlet, so probably the ways that you can make your own characters.
What’s your favorite project you’ve made? Probably Runaway Adventure 1.
Are you currently planning any projects? I’m planning on making a mystery game, like a magic show game, and I’m planning on making several sequels.
What do you usually do with a project when you’re done with it? Usually I show it to all my sisters (I have two, both younger than I am), then I show it to my dad and he gives criticism on it, then I fix the criticisms, then I show it to dad again, then I show it to my sisters. And then I’m like, “I know! I’ll publish it now!.”
Why do you like coding? I like to code because I like to tell stories, and I might be a writer too when I grow up, like in my spare time or something. Tynker is a storytelling outlet for me where I can tell my stories with different code. I really like that.
Do you think other kids should try coding? Yes because it can help you with a lot of careers. Like, if you wanted to be a pharmacist and you were studying, you could make a game that helps you identify the coccus bacteria.
Kareyn’s father Steve says adding coding to their homeschooling curriculum has been a good experience for his daughters. As an electrical engineer, Steve says he’s “been able to use that and encourage coding with the girls.” Women are underrepresented in technology fields, and this is another reason he thinks it’s important that his three daughters have exposure to coding: “I don’t want them to be constrained by this being a male-dominated field.”
Well, Kareyn’s amazing projects show that she’s definitely not intimidated by coding. She uses her creativity to bring unique and original stories to Tynker, and also to showcase strong female protagonists. Thanks so much for talking to us, Kareyn, and for sharing your wonderful projects with the Tynker community!
Make sure to check out two of Kareyn’s other projects, Cooking Grandpa and Panda Protect 1:
