December 7-13 is Computer Science Education Week, an annual program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take interest in computer science. During this week, schools around the world host an Hour of Code, a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to show that anybody can learn the basics of coding. To kick off the Hour of Code global campaign, Disney hosted a special Star Wars event for local children to try out Code.org’s Star Wars-themed computer science tutorial.
Through this tutorial, kids to learn to write code that allows them to create fun challenges and games using Star Wars characters. The “Star Wars: Building a Galaxy with Code†features familiar Star Wars characters like Princess Leia, C-3PO and R2-D2 as well as Rey and BB-8 from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The tutorial is the newest addition to Code.org’s online learning platform, Code Studio, which offers a suite of self-guided computer science activities and courses for students to learn the fundamentals of computer science, starting as early as kindergarten.
At the event, Disney Infinity creators were on hand to mentor the kids and show them how to create their own codes to create actual playable games. Disney Channel stars Karan Brar from Bunk’d and Sophie Reynolds from Disney XD’s Gamer’s Guide were there to play, as well as R2-D2 and Chewbacca! (It’s best to let the wookiee win.)
The Walt Disney Company sees the future of kids in coding and has made the “Star Wars: Building a Galaxy with Code†tutorial available for free online through 2016. Disney has also donated $100,000 to support Code.org’s efforts to bring computer science education to afterschool programs throughout the United States.
For more information on the Hour of Code go to Code.org and go to Disney.com to play with the tutorial online. Check out all photos from the event in the gallery below and let us know in the comments if you will you be participating in the Hour of Code!
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IMAGES: Disney and Jenn Fujikawa
