Ever wonder how web sites and games are made? If you are 10 years old or over, join us for a few hours on Sunday, October 8th to explore how to program, and why programmers love Python so much.

Why learn programming?

You don't necessarily have to become a professional programmer. In fact, coding is rewarding as a hobby too. Learning how to write code also means exploring how computers work.

Python is a very powerful programming language: it is used for writing computer applications, making websites and games, scientific and mathematical computing, and much more. Some of the companies that use Python include: Google, NASA, Disney Animation, and Spotify.

What will you learn?

This free tutorial will explore how to program using Python by making games. We will start with learning Python's simple data types, including numbers, letters and strings, and lists. We will also explore comparisons, if-statements, and loops. Finally, we will combine our new knowledge by using our skills to do some fun robotics projects with the BBC micro:bit.

What do you need to attend this tutorial?

Nothing. Yup. Okay well, you'll need the smile on your face. We will provide computers with Python and everything else you need already installed. Every student will get to take home their own micro:bit.

Registration

Adults: please use your name and email address when when registering a child for this event. You will also be prompted to enter the child's name and age.

- Cost: FREE
- Ages: 10 to 18 years old
- Where: Hotel Pennsylvania, 401 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001

Important: Each student must bring a release form signed by a parent or guardian to be allowed into the class. A link to that form will be provided in your confirmation email.

Sign up soon - space is limited

Please note that space is limited - we only have room for 50 students, so be sure to sign up soon.

Questions?

Email: barbara@pygotham.org

Schedule

This tutorial takes place in one day on Sunday October 8th and it will have the following format:

9:00 am - Welcome, Introductions
9:15 am - Tutorial begins
12:30 pm - Lunch (provided)**
1:30 pm - Tutorial and hacking
4:00 pm - Wrap up

Call for volunteers

If you are interested in helping out during the tutorial, please register as a teaching assistant by signing up here.

Location

The class will be held on the 6th floor of the hotel, in the 'Paris' and 'Budapest' rooms. A map of the hotel floor plan can be found on the Hotel Pennsylvania web site, at: https://www.hotelpenn.com/meetings/event-space/

Lunch

Lunch will be provided, however there will be some limitations - if you have dietary restrictions such as allergies we need to know by about a week before the class. If we are not able to get a special lunch order in place, you are always welcome to bring in outside food.

About the instructors

Barbara Shaurette Barbara is an open source veteran, with 20 years of experience as a professional developer, much of that as an active participant in the Python and Django communities. She teaches and mentors through organizations such as PyLadies, Girl Develop It and DjangoGirls. Currently, she works as a Python developer for Vox Media Group. Learn more about what Barbara is up to at her blog.

Meg Ray is the Teacher in Residence at Cornell Tech, where she coaches and trains K-8 public school educators to teach computer science. Previously, she was a classroom computer science teacher and special educator in NYC public schools, as well as an adjunct lecturer in the School of Ed. at Hunter College. She also designed and developed middle school Python curricula for Codesters. Meg served as a writer for the Computer Science Teachers’ Association K-12 CS Standards and as a special advisor to the K12 Framework for CS.