Coding for Kids
Our 2020 Summer Code Jam has come to an end (check out all the winners). We’re so impressed with the tens of thousands of submissions from throughout the summer and excited to talk to some of our winners about their awesome projects and experiences with Tynker!
Up next is 12-year-old Raghav, an eighth grader from Virginia who won our 3rd Place Grand Prize of $500! Our Grand Prize Winners all had quite a few great projects, and you can check out some of our favorites here.
How did you get introduced to Tynker and how long have you been coding?
In school, there’s an Hour of Code. And I started picking up coding, and I learned Python. So I’ve been doing Python for about two or three years. Then my dad found Tynker and ever since I’ve been doing Tynker and Python. Recently, I’m learning JavaScript.
How did you learn how to use Tynker when you were first starting out? What are your favorite Tynker courses or tutorials?
I first did the courses. Like usually I only did the courses of Python. And then I saw the JavaScript and I did some of that too. And then when the Code Jam came out, I did more block coding.
How did you feel when you found out your project had been featured?
So, I released a project and it started getting more views and likes. And I was waiting for the thing to show up where it says winners tab. And then I think my dad got the email. I was really excited!
What is your favorite project you’ve made so far? What do you like about it?
Probably the one that won, because it took not many code blocks. I learned a lot about the pen tool. So, that one and it looks cool at the end too. And I also like the story one I made. I thought the story I made was pretty cool!
Why do you like to code?
I like making things. It’s cool to see how it turns out at the end. Like, I like using the computer, so when it comes up on the computer, it’s cool to see how it looks
What is your favorite way to use code? Do you have a favorite code block?
Well, with Python there’s a lot of things like input and output things you can make like, you can make like arithmetic sequence finders and stuff like that. So, I like making those and I also like making stories.
What’s the best thing about Tynker?
I like how there’s so many different things you can do to use all sorts of languages. You can make animations, you can do block coding. I like that. You can do multiple things with just, like, one website. And there’s so much to learn there too.
How do you think learning to code has prepared you for the future?
It opens lots of jobs, careers and stuff like that.
Do you think other kids should try coding? Why’s that?
Yeah, at least try it because it’s fun. While actually coding might be a bit difficult at first, after you get good at it, you can make lots of cool stuff that helps other people.
What advice would you give to kids starting out with Tynker?
Yeah, first, start with the basic courses. And then, once you learn some stuff about Tynker and how it works, you can start making projects. Then with those projects, you learn how to code even more. You can publish the projects to see how the community likes it and then you can see what stuff people liked and what other people don’t like.
We also spoke with Raghav’s father Gagan, to get his perspective on Raghav learning to code and his Summer Code Jam achievement! “I feel excited,” Gagan said. “I want him to learn coding because I think, in the future, you cannot progress without coding. I think everyone would love to learn coding in some form or fashion, especially in the technology field.”
Gagan’s enthusiasm shows in the way he supports Raghav. “I tried to tell him ‘just try to learn and don’t worry about the outcome. If you like it, maybe then you will start to enjoy it.’ I’m trying to see if he wants to go that route or not, and I’m glad to see he’s liking it. I think he’s a natural. He’s a natural coder. He has that aptitude. He picks up things very quickly. So I feel he can certainly do very well. I think, compared to all the other kids from my friend circle, all of them say he’s good at picking up this stuff. He will certainly do better in this field. If you know the value of code, it’s going to be very important in the future.”
