Why Idaho needs more kids to learn how to code

By Samantha Wright

Published December 9, 2021 at 4:15 PM MST

BOISE, Idaho (Dec. 6, 2021) -- Idaho Gov. Brad Little joined students at Syringa Middle School in Caldwell today to code alongside them during the school’s Hour of Code Celebration with help from student Ben Ferro. In addition, the governor proclaimed Dec. 6-12 Computer Science Education Week in Idaho at the event. According to the Idaho STEM Action Center, schools and organizations are staging over 100 Hour of Code events statewide this week among more than 84,000 occurring worldwide in over 180 countries. Hour of Code is a global movement Code.org founded in 2013 that offers one-hour introductions to computer science and the basics of coding, which has become an important form of literacy just like reading. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger for the Idaho STEM Action Center) — BOISE, Idaho (Dec. 6, 2021) -- Idaho Gov. Brad Little joined students at Syringa Middle School in Caldwell today to code alongside them during the school’s Hour of Code Celebration with help from student Ben Ferro. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger for the Idaho STEM Action Center)

On Monday, Gov. Brad Little proclaimed this was computer science education week in Idaho. He spent some time coding with kids at Syringa Middle School in Caldwell to spotlight how important coding education has become as the state's need for tech jobs continues to grow.

Idaho Matters talks with Idaho STEM Action Center Executive Director Dr. Kaitlin Maguire, Intuit Principal Solution Architect Erin-Todd "Jet" Hansen and Hawthorne Elementary School teacher Dr. Kellie Taylor.

Tags

Samantha Wright

As Senior Producer of our live daily talk show Idaho Matters, I’m able to indulge my love of storytelling and share all kinds of information (I was probably a Town Crier in a past life!). My career has allowed me to learn something new everyday and to share that knowledge with all my friends on the radio.

See stories by Samantha Wright