NewBoCo Education Engages Over 500 Participants Through Summer CoderDojo Programs
From flying drones to creating algorithm art, students experienced technology in exciting and new ways. These programs were made possible thanks to strong community partnerships and dedicated mentors who recognized the potential in making STEM accessible and enjoyable to all.
CoderDojo went “on the road” this summer, offering activities at a wide variety of community events & spaces:
- Ballet Des Moines’ Summer STEM Tour at Brucemore, Cedar Rapids
- NCJC Pheasant Ridge & Alexander School (ICCSD)
- Collins Aerospace Community STEM Day
- Linn County Juvenile Detention
- Marion Public Library
- NCJC Mark Twain School (ICCSD)
- Cedar Rapids Farmers Market
- Empower Girl Scouts Day Camp
Ashley Turner, NewBoCo’s Student Program Coordinator, reflected on the summer spent at each event.
“This summer taught me that the best learning happens when collaboration and curiosity come together. From learning to fly drones with teachers for the first time, or exploring algorithm art side by side with the Girl Scouts, seeing them light up with curiosity and excitement reminds me of why sharing these experiences matters so much and why our work is so important.”
This wasn’t the first time CoderDojo went on the road over the summer—last year marked the first, and Melissa Silver, Community Programs Manager, was especially excited to welcome new participants and introduce them to Ashley.
“She is passionate and curious, and we were a perfect team to serve over 500 people through our CoderDojo and outreach programming,” said Silver. “We are taking this energy with us into the fall as we begin our regularly scheduled CoderDojo events at the Geonetric building, as well as Girls Who Code clubs. Joy all around!”
CoderDojo Returns This Fall
As summer wraps up, NewBoCo is excited to welcome families back to CoderDojo this Fall, held every first and third Saturday of the month at NewBoCo (415 12th Ave, SE)
CoderDojo is free and open to all families with K–5th–grade kids. At each session, students can explore a variety of STEM stations from coding and robotics to hands-on engineering challenges, including some fun new community partnerships. Mentors are available to guide them, but the real magic happens when kids take the lead!
