Panda Programmer/Coding Club provides a multi-disciplinary approach in teaching computer programming skills to children. We utilize mathematics, logics, teamwork, problem solving skills, and creativity to help children learn coding. Once introduced to computer programming, our students pursue it with incredible enthusiasm. “Instead of just PLAYING video games, have your kids DESIGN and PROGRAM them!”
Scratch is a block-based visual programming language and website targeted primarily at children to help learn code. Users of the site can create online projects using a block-like interface. The service is developed by the MIT Media Lab, has been translated into 70+ languages, and is used in most parts of the world. It is fully a "real programming language" and features variables, boolean logic, functions, operators, and powerful graphics capabilities.Read more about Scratch
Scratch Jr is a great introduction to block programming and logical thinking for our younger students (typically grades 2 and below) to get the knack of programming. Scratch JR students do not nead to type in order to master the topic.Read more about ScratchJr
Python is a high-level and general-purpose programming language. Python's design philosophy emphasizes code readability and efficiency. Python is the programming language of choice for many professional computer programmers.Read more about Python
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the standard markup language for documents designed to be displayed in a web browser. JavaScript is a scripting language used to create and control dynamic website content,including animated graphics and interactive forms.Read more about HTML
Projects in Advanced Scratch can involve sophisticated functions, natural language processing, artificial intelligence, 3 dimensional graphics, and more.Read more about Advanced Scratch
As shown above, Scratch is the heart of our curriculum. We use Scratch JR for students who are too young for Scratch (typically grades 2 and below). After student have mastered the Computer Science fundamentals in Scratch, we introduce them to Python and HTML/JavaScript. This allows them to experience the difference between programming languages, as they do some of the same projects in these languages that they did previously in Scratch!
Recreational gaming is not part of our program- The focus of Panda Programmer is on creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication. We’re teaching our students to create their own games, animated stories and personal creations-Show and Tell at Panda Programmer
Our classes are a combination of college seminar (in terms of open discussions, presenting and defending one’s own work, and collaboration) and Montessori classroom (helping one another, flexible curriculum and focus, and collaboration). Our on-going classes accept students of all backgrounds and experience levels, bring up to speed those of whom have less experience, and assimilate all students as they share ideas, collaborate on projects, and practice true computer science and coding skills.
We teach girls & boys the fundamentals of coding by making it fun. Our hands-on, project-based approach wins rave reviews from parents & kids alike-
In our classes we cover:
– Animation and graphics design
– Events-driven processing
– Control structures
– Serial vs. parallel execution of code
– Variables
– Debugging
– Cartesian coordinates
– Modifying and augmenting existing games
– Designing, creating, and programming new games
Prerequisites: None! Our classes are designed to be a fun educational, hands-on experience that combines a child’s passion for computers with top instructors and exciting curriculum to create amazing things. All Panda Programmer classes are meant to be enjoyed by children ages 5 and above without any previous experience. Coding Club classes are meant to be enjoyed by students in grades 6 to 8, also without any previous experience. Students with intermediate skills will be challenged with more advanced tasks.
Our motto is: “Instead of just PLAYING video games, have your kids DESIGN and PROGRAM them!”
