Drawing with Code with Khan Academy (Teen Tech Week)

Type: Self-directed
Age: Middle school
Optimal size: 6-10
Estimated cost: Free
Planning time: <1 hour
Frequency: One-time

Learning outcomes

• Become familiar with basic coding commands and be able to recall them at the end of the session. 
• Experiment with different variables to discover the best way to utilize code. 
• Engage in discussion and problem-solving with other teens.
• Draw their own "code animal" using the commands that have been learned. 

Instructions

• Prior to this program, it is helpful for the librarian/instructor to do the Hour of Code project themselves, so that they can familiarize themselves with the code that is being leaned and so that they can attempt to foresee any questions or stumbling blocks that the teens might encounter. This takes about an hour, give or take, depending on your experience level. 
• Day of program: set up laptops or computers and have browsers open to the Khan Academy Hour of Code site: https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/hour-of-code/hour-of-code-tutorial/p/intro-to-drawing 
• If possible, have a laptop/computer that is connected to a projector for the librarian/instructor. (I used the projector to watch the instructional videos as a group and to work on the challenges together - asking teens for input on what variables and commands we should be using. Even if some teens completed the challenges quicker than others, we still all watched the subsequent instructional videos as a group.)
• Have teens progress through the challenges (either independently, or as a group), and allow time for questions along the way. Depending on the age and experience level of the teens involved, it can be tricky if there is only one librarian/instructor bouncing from person to person trying to answer all the questions, so encourage them to get to know each other and help each other out with problems they encounter. 
• The final challenge is to have each teen create their own "wild animal" using the commands that they have learned in the tutorials. Beforehand, either on a white/chalkboard or large sheet of paper, have the teens recall and write down all of the commands that they have learned and what variables are associated with each command. This list will be helpful for them to look at when designing their own animal. 
• Allow teens enough time to experiment with creating their own animal, as this was the most independent and creative part of the Hour of Code program. 
• Have teens share their animals with the group. (You can even vote on best animal or give a prize to the most creative design, if you'd like). 

Evaluation

• Teens will be able to successfully recall the commands and variables that they have learned during the session.
• Teens will be able to "draw" their own animal using the commands that they have learned during the session.
• Teens will be able to use what they have learned in subsequent coding programs.