Fabiola A.
Day Creek student Miles Y. works on coding with Microbits during class.
The glow of computer screens filled room I3 as students huddled together, sharing tips and laughter while learning how to code. For six weeks, Day Creek Intermediate’s after-school computer science program aims to provide students with the chance to turn curiosity into creativity, one microbit at a time.
Organized by Mrs. Bennett, who offered her time to lead the program, the group is providing the opportunity to explore the world of coding.
“My mission is to make it accessible to all students,” said Mrs. Bennett. “I am so proud of them for everything they have accomplished, and I look forward to seeing what they do in the future.”
Microbits, tiny programmable computers, quickly became the focus of the sessions. Students coded them to perform a range of tasks, from rolling digital dice to sending secret messages across the room. Each week, the projects will become more advanced, showing students just how fun and practical this technology can be.
“I feel like it’s a good chance for students to learn about coding and really know how to use microbits,” said seventh grader Miles Y. “I really like using microbits because you can do a lot of things like coding a dice and even short communication.”
Many students see the skills they’re learning as more than just an after-school hobby. “If you like coding and computer science and that stuff, it’s really beneficial because it teaches you the basics of coding for the future,” Miles said.
Seventh grader Eason W. agreed, pointing out the balance between fun and learning. “It feels great because a lot of people like computer science and coding, and it’s really fun. My favorite activity is probably coding and sending messages on the microbit.”
Others, like Aanya M., believe the program could open doors down the road. “If you want jobs relating to computers, then it’ll help people who really like these types of things. A lot of people there really like these types of things and have a lot of fun.”
What started as an experiment in after-school learning has become something more: a community of students excited to see themselves as creators, not just consumers, of technology. And thanks to Mrs. Bennett’s dedication, Day Creek’s young coders now carry not only new skills, but also a spark of excitement for their future.