Great experience! Provided teamwork for all of us! It made us work super hard! Really Fun!” exclaimed Isabel, age 11. Fun and hard work are just the words teachers yearn to hear from their students. Over the past year, I’ve been searching for the perfect experience for my students, something that would inspire them while providing a challenging and fun introduction to the power of computer science. I think I finally found it.
On Saturday, May 4, after months of preparation, my Random Hacks of Kindness Junior event finally unfolded. Over thirty students, along with computer science professionals, subject matter experts and humanitarians converged at my school in Newtown, CT, to create smart phone apps. According to the parent organization, Random Hacks of Kindness, this was the first time ever that young people came together to “hack” for humanity.
When I had first learned about Random Hacks of Kindness last summer, I was drawn to the organization’s mission of “creating a self-sustaining global community of innovators building practical open technology for a better world, and to ensure their work creates impact in society.” But I was not sure how I would pull off such a lofty goal with 4th – 8th graders, whose primary use for computer is playing games. Would it really be possible to convince them to give up a Saturday and spend it indoors, working with strangers to help others? I am thrilled to say the answer is yes!
I relied on my previous experience with a similar event for college students this past December at Trinity College. The day went off without a hitch. I contacted local charitable organizations and invited them to participate in the event. As a result, I had representatives from Ben’s Bells, Newtown Kindness, Polar Bears International, American Diabetes Association, Autism Speaks, and The Newtown Animal Center. These charities were selected from my students’ interests and passions. I also contacted a variety of high schools, colleges and universities from across Connecticut to ask for their assistance by providing mentors. Students and professors from Quinnipiac University , University of Hartford and Trinity College’s HFOSS gladly agreed.
All of the participants in RHoK Junior found the opportunity to work on real-world problems to be both inspirational and challenging. The students were thrilled to be working side-by-side with the subject matter experts and computer professionals. According to Christopher MacNamara, a 4th year at Fraser Woods Montessori School, “I liked that we got to create Apps and had a chance to help the community”. This was music to my ears. The students enjoyed the challenges set before them and realized the importance of creating computer applications that served a bigger purpose than just entertainment.
Now that we know that Random Hacks of Kindness Junior events can be as successful as the ones for adults, I am sure more will follow. Discussions are already underway to create a weeklong event next summer at Quinnipiac University.
Jamesan, a college student from the University of Hartford, summed it up perfectly “This app development teaching idea is totally amazing in my opinion as it teaches kids the power that they have, shows them that the possibilities are limitless with computers”. Exactly!
For more information about creating a Random Hacks of Kindness Junior event at your school contact Thea Aldrich, from Random Hacks of Kindness at [email protected].
Patrice Gans
CSTA K-8 Representative