Microsoft preps for Hour of Code

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Pictured: Emily Sreenan Cassidy (7); Mary Moloney, CEO, CoderDojo Foundation; Cathriona Hallahan, Microsoft Ireland; Ava Sreenan Cassidy (9); Helen Raftery, Junior Achievement Ireland; and Orlaith McBride, Arts Council

Microsoft is working with Digital Schools, Junior Achievement, the Arts Council and CoderDojo to promote this year’s Hour of Code on 8 December.

The campaign, organised by Code.org, will take place on 8 December with a global goal of teaching 10 million students worldwide to code on the day. In Ireland, Microsoft has set a target of 10,000 students to be spread across over 100 events nationwide.

Speaking at the Hour of Code launch, Microsoft Ireland MD Cathriona Hallahan said: “Coding is an international language and one which can be used and drawn upon regardless of where you live or work or what your passion is. We believe that learning to code is as important as learning the core subjects in school. Through the Hour of Code we want to create as many opportunities as possible for people to experience a taster for coding through a specially developed 60 minute course.

“While a lot of the focus will be on students, we also want to encourage older people, artistic and creative people, those in professional roles – and especially those who are not IT literate to get involved and try out coding. Coding has been described as being like poetry and we believe that if people try it out it could spark a love for a new language which could open up endless opportunities for them – whether they are four or 104.”

Microsoft is hosting a one-hour mentor training session at its campus in Sandyford on 19 November in preparation for the event.

Mary Moloney, CEO, CoderDojo Foundation, added: “We’re looking forward to an exciting day on 8 December and hope that people across the country get involved and try out coding on the day. With the support of companies like Microsoft we’re hoping to spread the reach and interest in coding across Ireland and beyond.”

Many of Microsoft’s 1,200 employees together with the CoderDojo network, Junior Achievement, Digital Schools and the Arts Council will help to organise and support at Hour of Code events on the day.

One of the flagship events will be held in the Arts Council offices on Merrion Square, which will focus on the creative aspect of coding and what it offers to the arts.

TechCentral Reporters

Read More: Coding Education Hour of Code Microsoft