Young Starter Lab

Programming Lab:  Young Starter Lab

The Young Starter Lab is a place for middle-school students (ages 11-14) to begin learning computer programming with Python, JavaScript, Java, Unity and more. They start with Python, an excellent language for teaching programming, to see and work with more traditional code. After becoming confident with Python, they begin a JavaScript and Java tracks to try object-oriented programming. Students who come in with some prior coding experience may move ahead to more advanced lessons.

When can I start? How long is the program?

New students begin on the first or third week of each month. After registration we will confirm the first day with you. Tuition is monthly and students attend once per week. While students begin learning right away, the program is organized to enable them to continue as long as they are interested and having fun through flexible project-based material.

There is no fixed term for our Starter labs other than a monthly commitment. If a student misses a class they may attend a makeup class on an alternate day or time by simply emailing us. 

PYTHON

Students start with Python in their very first class. Python was designed with a clear easy to read code style and simpler data structures. It eliminates some of the sources of frustration for beginners with other languages like C++ and Java. Plus it's fun! Python is used universally for web development, science, big data, and simple scripting. Once a student is comfortable with Python's syntax, a jump to other languages is not as jarring or difficult. Many universities teach Python in computer science including Atlanta's own Georgia Tech.

JavaScript

Processing is a coding tool geared toward creating visual interactive media. It was designed to make it easy for beginners to create interactive art through code. Programs written in Processing use either JavaScript or Java syntax, which makes it a great entry point to those languages. It is used in classrooms of all ages from computer science to visual arts programs. Students find it fun and satisfying to visualize their code and make something appear on-screen right away.

Java and Unity3D with C#

Students who finish a short set of lessons in Python are introduced to Java to begin object-oriented programming. Java is the most popular programming language in the world and was designed to 'run anywhere' on many different platforms. Java is used for Android, for example, so the students will be ready to try Android app development. Minecraft was also written in Java and is another motivating factor for students.

Once confident with object-oriented programming, students can begin our Unity 3D game development track with C#. We start with beginner lessons to learn the Unity IDE and quickly add scripting with C# to write game code. All lessons from our summer camps are available to students in the Starter Labs.