The Sto-Rox Coding Club began more than a year ago as a volunteer-driven group that now boasts its own “DigiLab” in the basement of the Ryan Arts Center. Equipped with 12 laptops, 6 ipads, a multimedia projector, tables with comfortable chairs and a SMART Board there is no fee to attend the Wednesday after school learning sessions which run from 4 to 6 p.m.
Youngsters explore coding using sites like Code.org, Bitsbox.com, PencilCode.net, and Khan Academy. They also learn to program robots using the Sphero.edu app.
Many of the original club members have been working hard and are ready to take their learning to a new level by holding ongoing community workshops similar to the national “Hour of Code.” Brad Ankney of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit oversees the coding club and is responsible for launching the IOBY project funding vehicle to allow the program to take its next steps.
Club members who hold these workshops will earn stipends or gift cards for holding the courses. Club members will be responsible for promoting the events, taking a role with participants, opening and closing the computer lab and making sure all equipment is properly returned.
Any donations made to the IOBY project will be matched by the PNC Community Fund.
