The Young Coder: Let's Learn Python

Hey kids!

Ever wonder what your mother or father is doing, typing away for long hours at the computer? What about how games are made?

If you are 12 years old or over, join us for a few hours on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 and Thursday, March 14, 2013 to explore how to program, and why your parents love Python so much.

Why learn programming?

You don't necessarily have to become a professional programmer. Quite the contrary, programming is rewarding as a hobby or as a profession. Learning how to program also explores how computers work. Python is a very powerful language: it is used for writing computer programs, making websites & games, scientific & mathematic computing, among other things. Many companies use and develop with Python: Google, NASA, the CIA, Spotify, and many others.

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 combined our new knowledge by creating our own game using the PyGame library.

What do you need to attend this tutorial?

Nothing. Yup. Okay well, you'll need smile on your face. We will provide monitors, keyboards, and Raspberry Pis with Python + PyGame on it. For every student, we will also give a copie of No Starch Press' Python For Kids and Hello World! Computer Programming for Kids and Other Beginners, an excellent resource for young coders learning Python.

SIGN UP! Space is limited!

Registration is available through here; please note that space is very limited.

PyCon Parents

Your children attending this tutorial are welcome to join you for lunch and the conference. Please keep in mind we offer no childcare during the conference.

About the instructors:

Katie Cunningham

Katie Cunningham is a Python developer at Cox Media Group and a DC native. She’s a fervent advocate for Python, Open Source Software, and teaching more people how to program. She also helps organize PyLadies in the DC area, a program designed to increase diversity in the Python community. She has taught classes for the organization, bringing novices from instillation to writing their first app in 48 hours.

Katie is an active blogger at her website, covering issues such as Python, accessibility, and the trials and tribulations of working from home.

Barbara Shaurette

Barbara is an open source veteran, with almost 15 years of experience as a professional developer, and at least five as an active participant in the Python and Django communities. She has also volunteered as a teacher and mentor through organizations such as PyLadies and Code Scouts. Currently, she works as a data consultant for the Texas Tribune.

Learn more about what Barbara is up to at her blog and through Austin PyLadies.