Visit by software developers in game industry

Two software developers from CCP Games, Curt Hartung and Joel McGinnis, recently visited our Starter Labs to speak and take questions from our students.  CCP Games is known for their space science-fiction based hit, Eve Online, and both Curt and Joel have worked on Eve in addition to two newer titles yet to be released.

It was inspiring and fun to hear what life is like as a professional software developer, how they got there, and what suggestions they have for the kids who wish to pursue programming careers.  Curt explained how Python is used to make scripting new objects like spaceships in the game world easier.  Our students begin programming in Python and to learn that it is used in a massive online game was exciting.  He also encouraged the students to give a little bit extra with their projects and really finish out any ideas that they have because it shows passion for what they are doing.  And passion is what shows when they go out into the professional world looking to be hired, says Curt.

Joel talked about how making big budget games is a team effort of programmers, artists, designers, and more.  He showed us how a team might be structured and explained what roles each person has.  He also showed some game screenshots and then asked the students what they saw.  Whether it was characters, action, environmental elements and effects, backgrounds,  or anything else you can imagine in a game, Joel explained that someone had to put it there and that everything was purposeful.  This challenged the students to think about the work involved in what they often take for granted in their games.

Finally, both Curt and Joel jumped in with the kids and tackled some Scratch challenges.  It was fun to see professional programmers sit down with our students and learn about Scratch just like the kids.  Curt even took home instuctions to make his favorite arcade game, Asteroids.

Thank you, guys!  We really appreciate your time and enthusiasm and look forward to having you back next year to inspire a whole new group of kids to learn programming.  

Workshop on Math and Computer Programming

Start Code has been invited to give a workshop promoting math and computer programming using video games. We will be showing how mathematical concepts of Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry are all used to code popular video games and gaming concepts.

"We're Psyched about Math" is a free event for parents and students on Oct. 25th at 6:30pm. It is hosted by the South Dekalb Parent Council and promises to be a fun evening of free workshops. Come on out to Redan Middle School for a variety of workshops promoting math.

We will demonstrate to kids interested in computer programming that math and computer science complement each other and that, while it isn't necessary to be great at math to learn programming, the two help each other by both practicing structured thinking, algorithms, and problem solving. It's cross training for your brain and it's fun!

See this AJC article for the school address. 

Are kids saying no to computers?

PC sales are down to their lowest levels in 10 years causing many people to question why.  The 3rd quarter 'back to school season' usually shows increased sales as kids go back to school and need new computers.  But things didn't work out that way this year.  Why?

Our theory is that kids are saying yes to technology, just not necessarily to PCs.  The historical use of a PC can instead today be done by a PC, tablet, smartphone, iPod touch, or even game console.  What used to require a PC or laptop no longer does.  It doesn't matter to kids.  They will just use what is cool, convenient, and just works.  Computer hardware is also lasting longer as the upgrade cycles get longer so people are buying fewer computers in general.  You don't really need a new computer just to get online, check Facebook, read email, and maybe play a Flash game.  This blog post was written on a four-year-old Macbook Pro that still runs like a champ.  No need for new hardware quite yet (but it would be nice!).

The good news is that no matter what form factor the future PC takes, we will still need creators who can use them as tools!  Someone has to write the software for all of these devices.  Someone has to create all the artwork, sounds, and music.  Someone has to code all the new ideas for programs that will spring up as we figure out what all these devices can do, how they all fit together, and what is possible.  This is a great opportunity for today's students to take advantage of the trend and learn about technology and computer programming.  By developing programming skills now, they will be ahead of the curve and already 'get it' and will be prepared by the time they are entering college and the work force.

Wired Article - PC Sales Slump as Kids Say No to Computers

The growing workforce divide. "Study STEM."

Marc Andreeson, creator of the original Netscape web browser and current technology venture capitalist, was asked by USA Today what the next 30 years will look like for work and jobs.  The former computer programmer doesn't mix words when giving his opinion..

"The spread of computers and the Internet will put jobs in two categories," Andreessen says. "People who tell computers what to do, and people who are told by computers what to do."

Mr. Andreeson sees technology and programming skills as a great divider in the the future work force.  "There's no such thing as median income; there's a curve, and it really matters what side of the curve you're on," he says.  His thoughts on a vanishing middle-class are rather disturbing and we frankly hope this doesn't come to be, but he says one thing is essential for today's students - "study STEM".

 

Read the full article here including his thoughts on the middle class, liberal arts degrees, entrepreneurship, and where the U.S. falls.

 

The good news is that there are wonderful tools and teaching materials available to today's students.  We just have to get these tools into their hands and, with the right coaching and encouragement, they will thrive in the future workforce.

Front page interview

Our founder, Scott Blanck, was recently interviewed in a local Atlanta newspaper.  Scott talks about the inspiration for Start Code and why teaching kids and teens programming is so important today.

Read the Dekalb Neighbor interview here.

(Photo courtesy of the Dekalb Neighbor newspaper.)