Building on more than a decade of global excitement around the Hour of Code, the first-ever Hour of AI marks a new chapter that helps students move from consuming AI to creating with it.

Today, CSforALL unveiled the activity catalog for the Hour of AI, which takes place during Computer Science Education Week (December 8–14, 2025). More than 50 leading tech companies, nonprofits, and foundations are contributing to a suite of activities that will help learners around the world explore the power and possibilities of AI through creativity, play, and problem-solving.

Boogie on the Dance Floor: Mix & Move with AI

This year, the team at Code.org is excited to launch Mix & Move with AI, a creative adventure where students use AI and computer science to design a dancer, remix top music hits, and choreograph a dance routine. Students explore three creative stages, using AI prompts to spark inspiration and taking control to make the final creation their own. No prior experience needed — just your creativity and curiosity!

“The next generation can’t afford to be passive users of AI — they must be active shapers of it,” said Hadi Partovi, CEO and co-founder of Code.org. “The Hour of AI and its roster of incredible partners are empowering students to explore, create, and take ownership of the technology that is shaping their future.”

During CSEdWeek, students will have the opportunity to see how AI and computer science work hand-in-hand to fuel imagination, innovation and impact. In addition to Mix & Move with AI, Hour of AI participants can choose from more than 100 hands-on activities to learn about AI, including:

Solving Real-World Challenges: AI Quests

Step into the shoes of a Google researcher with Google’s AI Quests and simulate using AI to solve real-world challenges. On this immersive adventure, students explore the fundamentals of AI and the ways it can be harnessed to overcome obstacles and find solutions. This gamified experience takes middle school students through the processes Google’s top researchers use, all while promoting active learning.

Survive the Night in Minecraft with the Help of AI

A classic Minecraft challenge! Team up with an AI agent and train it to recognize resources, craft tools and build shelter before the sun sets. Solve fun coding puzzles with MakeCode blocks or Python. Explore the potential of creative collaboration with AI and learn why AI tools require human oversight in this new Hour of AI activity from Minecraft Education!

Exploring AI with Scratch Face Sensing Blocks

Hands off! In Scratch Foundation’s creative activity, use Face Sensing blocks to control a project using facial features. Draw with your nose, create face filters, make a game, and more to discover how these predictive AI blocks enhance the user experience. Test for false negatives or positives and discover the creative possibilities of AI with this data safe, fun activity.

Explore Animal Training with LEGO® Education

The activity submitted by LEGO® Education, Modeling Machine Learning, invites students to build and train an animal of their choice using LEGO® bricks or classroom materials. Students discover the parallels between creating a model of an animal and learning how to teach animals new behaviors, similar to how computers are trained to respond to visual inputs. Unleash your imagination with hands-on materials and interactive development to demystify AI and machine learning models — no technology required.

Whether creating a dance to your own remix or braving a night in Minecraft to teach AI a lesson, the Hour of AI opens the door for every student to understand, question and create with the technology shaping our world. Teachers, parents, students, the edtech community, education advocates and anyone excited about empowering today’s youth in their AI + CS education can participate in the Hour of AI all year round.

To learn more and see a complete list of activities, please visit HourofAI.org/activities.

Code.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to every student having the opportunity to learn AI and computer science as part of their core K-12 education. We are publicly funded by people like you. If you would like to join our commitment to computer science education by making a donation today, please click here. For more information on how Code.org can support your school district, please click here.

This week, the Teich Group and Catapult X announced the winners of the Educators Pick Best of STEM® 2025 Awards. We’re proud to announce that Code.org is the winner in 10 categories:

• AI Teaching Assistant of the Year: Code.org — AI Teaching Assistant
• Best AI Innovation for Teaching & Learning: Code.org — AI Chat Lab
• Best Customer Support for Computer Science: Code.org
• Best of STEM Freebies for Computer Science: Code.org
• Best Innovation of 2025 for Computer Science: Code.org — Python Lab
• Best Professional Development for AI: AI 101 Professional Learning from Code.org
• Best Resources for Analyzing and Interpreting Data: Insights from Data and AI Unit from Code.org
• Best Video-Based Learning: Code.org — How AI Works Video Series
• Social Impact Award: Promoting Diversity & Equity Inclusion: Code.org — Equity in CS Professional Learning
• Trailblazer: Early Learning (Pre-K-6) for Computer Science: Code.org — Coding with Music

This is the only awards program judged by STEM educators. It was created for STEM companies to earn recognition educators can trust, and creators can genuinely celebrate.

These STEM products were subject to a two-part evaluation process. First, products were evaluated by an expert panel of judges. Once judges selected the finalists, more than 267,000 STEM educators were given the opportunity to evaluate the finalists via survey.

Our entire organization, especially the dedicated staff behind these products, is honored to receive these awards. This marks the third year Code.org has been recognized among the Best of STEM. Our mission is to expand access to computer science for every student, and we’re thrilled to know our products continue to provide meaningful value to schools around the world.

Code.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to every student having the opportunity to learn AI and computer science as part of their core K-12 education. We are publicly funded by people like you. If you would like to join our commitment to computer science education by making a donation today, please click here. For more information on how Code.org can support your district, please click here.

Young women have been underrepresented in high school computer science (CS) classrooms for years, and the consequences extend far beyond education. According to the 2024 State of CS Report, high school girls are half as likely as their male peers to take a CS course. That means millions of young women are missing out on the skills that drive innovation in every field — from climate science to fashion, from healthcare to music production.

But the challenge isn’t ability or access. The biggest barrier is interest.

At Code.org, we’ve always believed that computer science is for everyone. And while research has long shown that many young women don’t see CS as relevant to their lives, our latest national study with YouGov is the largest yet to uncover why.

The new insight? Personal connection is the strongest predictor of whether young women see CS as important and ultimately enroll in a course. When they can relate computer science to their passions, they’re more likely to take the leap. Belonging drives participation.

This isn’t just a gap in education — it’s a gap in opportunity. And we have the power to change it for young women.

Reframing the Story: Computer Science is Everything

For too long, we’ve framed CS as a path to future job opportunities and financial success. While that resonates for some, the data is clear: for many young women, interest is sparked when they see how CS connects to what they already care about.

This isn’t about convincing them to love computer science. It’s about showing them that CS and AI are already shaping the world they love. The challenge isn’t changing girls — it’s changing the way we present computer science to them.

What if we stopped treating CS as a narrow, technical skillset and instead showed it for what it really is — an engine for creativity, innovation, and change?

• Love sports? CS powers real-time analytics, wearable technology, and game-day strategies.
• Passionate about sustainability? CS drives advancements in environmental science and climate modeling.
• Into fashion or music? CS fuels digital design, AI-generated art, and next-gen music production.

Computer science is not just for tech companies. It’s for young women who want to change the world.

Launching the “Computer Science is Everything” Campaign

That’s why today, we’re launching “Computer Science is Everything” (CSiE), a campaign designed to help young women see CS in a new light — as a tool to amplify their passions and fuel their ambitions.

Through engaging content, community-building, and hands-on learning experiences, we’re ensuring that every girl who’s ever thought, “CS isn’t for me” gets the chance to see just how deeply it’s already woven into her life.

Here’s how we’re doing it:

✅ Making CS Relatable: We’re creating engaging content that speaks directly to the interests of young women — whether it’s coding for social change, AI in fashion, or the science behind viral TikTok trends.

✅ Empowering Students with Hands-On Learning: Free, interactive resources designed to meet young women where they are — giving them the tools to explore CS in a way that feels relevant and exciting.

✅ Amplifying Communities: Pointing to spaces where young women can connect, support one another, and see that they’re not alone in their CS journey.

✅ Equipping Educators: Teachers play a critical role in shaping perceptions of CS. We’re providing resources that make it easy to integrate CS into classrooms in ways that feel meaningful to students.

✅ Showcasing Real-World Role Models: We’re spotlighting diverse young women who are using CS to drive change in industries like gaming, education, entertainment, and beyond — making CS feel more relatable and attainable.

🚀 Visit CSisEverything.org to explore the campaign, get involved, and help us spread the message.

Why This Matters — And How You Can Help

We can’t do this alone. The voices that shape young women’s perceptions of CS come from teachers, parents, school leaders, policymakers, and industry mentors.

The data is clear: When young women feel that computer science is for them, they are more likely to enroll. This shift is already happening among Black young women, thanks to intentional outreach and representation from organizations like Black Girls Code. Now, we need to ensure all young women see themselves in CS.

💡 Here’s how you can be part of this movement:

📢 Join the Conversation: Use the hashtag #CSIsEverything to share how CS connects to your interests and career. Whether you’re in sports, fashion, gaming, or science — help us show the next generation the possibilities.

👩‍🏫 Encourage Exploration: If you’re a teacher, parent, or mentor, introduce young women to resources that show them how CS intersects with their passions.

🎬 Support the Campaign: Share our videos, play them in classrooms, and direct students to CSisEverything.org for inspiration and learning tools.

👩‍💻 Become a Mentor: Representation matters. If you’re a woman in tech, your story can change someone’s future. Offer guidance, share your journey, and help a young woman see her potential in CS.

A Future Built by Everyone, for Everyone

The gender gap in CS education isn’t just a problem for the tech industry — it’s a lost opportunity for all industries. We need young women’s voices shaping the future of AI, medicine, sustainability, media, and beyond.

Computer science is everything. And the world will be better when women have an equal role in building it.

Let’s make that future happen — together.

🚀 Visit CSisEverything.org to learn more, get involved, and help us inspire the next generation of women in CS.

Computer Science Education Week (December 9–15) is here, and I’m excited to officially kick off this year’s Hour of Code! This event is a unique opportunity for millions of students around the world to discover how computer science can help them realize their unboundless potential through the things they already love — music, games, movies. With new activities like Music Lab: Jam Session (in partnership with Amazon) and Minecraft: The Show Must Go On!, Hour of Code 2024 brings students closer to the technology behind the entertainment they love, turning the invisible into something tangible and exciting.

At Code.org, our mission is for every student in every school to have the opportunity to learn computer science and AI. It’s not just about learning technical skills, it’s about creativity, problem-solving, and helping students turn their ideas into something real. This year, our theme, “Make the Invisible Visible,” is focused on exactly that — making student’s invisible potential visible through computer science and AI.

We are proud of what we’ve been able to achieve over the past 11 years of Hour of Code and all of the students that have had the opportunity to realize what they can do and achieve through just one hour of code. I often think back to the first time I saw students’ faces light up with joy as they realized they could create with code. They’d never thought of technology as something they could control, and yet there they were, bringing their creative ideas to life on screen.

Hour of Code wouldn’t be possible without Teachers

Without the dedication of hundreds of thousands of teachers and volunteers across the globe, Hour of Code wouldn’t be possible. You are the ones who take students through the process of transforming an idea into reality. You help make the invisible visible by showing students how computer science is a foundation for creativity and possibility. Your work is what makes the event come to life. You’re not just teaching students how to code; you’re helping them realize that they can be creators, innovators, and problem-solvers. I can’t thank you enough for your commitment to making computer science education accessible, engaging, and inspiring.

Celebrating Our Partners: Bringing the Invisible to Life

I’d also like to take a moment to thank all of our incredible partners that have developed or collaborated in the creation of Hour of Code activities. Together, we’re helping students see how technology powers the things they love, and we’re connecting with students across a multitude of interests.

A special thank you to Minecraft Education for their ongoing partnership — it’s hard to believe that we’ve been working together for a decade! This year’s The Show Must Go On! tutorial lets students explore how coding brings creativity and storytelling to life. Students get to solve coding puzzles to compose music, design costumes, and choreograph scenes — all within the Minecraft world. This creative activity demonstrates how coding can be more than technical — it can be a powerful medium for bringing stories to life! Since 2015, Minecraft Hour of Code has reached more than 300 million sessions, inspiring countless students to connect their passions with the power of technology.

We’re also thrilled to partner with Amazon for Music Lab: Jam Session. With AI-powered tools, students can remix chart-topping hits by artists like Shakira, and explore how music and technology intersect. It’s amazing to watch students discover how technology powers industries like music, and to see them experiment with their own creativity. Amazon’s partnership in this initiative is helping make coding more accessible and fun for students everywhere.

And of course, a big thank you to Paramount Pictures for collaborating with us to bring iconic characters from Transformers One into a Hello World activity in Sprite Lab. By coding with characters like Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, students are seeing firsthand how technology brings stories and characters to life. These partnerships are helping students connect the dots between the entertainment they love and the technology that makes it all possible.

Why Hour of Code is More Important Than Ever: Unlocking the Future through Creativity and Technology

As technology rapidly advances, understanding how it works is essential for everyone, not just aspiring software engineers. Hour of Code provides an entry point to coding, giving students from age 4 to 104 the tools to shape the future, fuel their creativity, and create with today’s technologies.

In today’s tech-driven world, coding is becoming an essential literacy. Hour of Code is the introduction to understand how the world around them works. As AI and automation reshape industries, the principles of computer science and AI will help students be more than consumers of technology — it will set them on the path to be the creators and problem-solvers of tomorrow.

Hour of Code is a vital first step in helping students unlock their potential and realize that computer science is not just a skill — it’s a way to shape the future.

Join Us: Make the Invisible Visible at Hour of Code 2024

I invite you — students, teachers, and volunteers — to join us for this year’s Hour of Code. Together, we’ll explore how computer science makes the invisible visible. Whether you’re remixing beats, coding a Minecraft adventure, or bringing Transformers to life, Hour of Code is the perfect opportunity to start your journey in computer science.

The world is full of invisible ideas waiting to be brought to life, invisible potential waiting to be realized, and Hour of Code is the place where that journey begins. I can’t wait to see what you create. Register your hour of code and get helpful tools at HourOfCode.com

— Hadi Partovi, Founder, Code.org

Hour of Code 2024 is all about showing students that computer science isn’t just something they use; it’s something they can create. From video games to music, sports to art, we hope students will uncover something new they love with computer science.

With Hour of Code around the corner, we’re highlighting some Code.org staff favorites to help get you started, sorted by grade level and theme! You can explore all activities on hourofcode.com/learn, where you can select your classroom’s grade level, skill level, activity theme, and more to customize your Hour of Code.

We can’t wait to hear what your students create!

Grades K-2

Barbie You Can Be Anything

“Well designed, relevant. Feels really fresh.”

-Katie F., Curriculum Content Developer, Code.org

Explore six cool careers and see how coding can be applied to each one! Discover what it’s like to be a Robotics Engineer, a Musician, an Astronaut, a Farmer, a Beekeeper, and a Pastry Chef. Use programming to animate characters, compose music, tell stories, design games, and even create art.

Kodable Make Shapes with Code

Anything Kodeable makes is great for K-2. This has the right amount of scaffolding for younger learners and they really love the coding the Fuzz characters!

-Katie F., Curriculum Content Developer, Code.org

Use math and coding skills to make your own maze and then try to solve it. Start with a basic square and then see how many different shapes you can include in your maze designs!

bekids Coding Challenges

Join Grace, Zak and Dot the Robot on an adventure in the Loop Galaxy! Code with blocks to complete exciting tasks, and learn the basics of algorithms, sequences and loops!

Grades 3–5

NASA’s Space Jam

Create a solar system that really rocks! Learn about music, astronomy, and coding in this self-guided activity (no coding experience required). Program planets to make music, creating your own musical solar system, complete with spacey melodies.

Poem Art

Explore how coding can bring poems to life, creating your own digital poetry masterpieces. Available in 25+ languages!

Dance Party: AI Edition

Learn about artificial intelligence (AI) concepts to create your own virtual dance party showcasing today’s top artists. It’s time to strut your stuff!

My Google Logo

Use your creativity and imagination to bring the Google logo to life using code. Make the letters dance, tell a story or create a game. With Scratch and CS First, anyone can become a designer and programmer for the day!

Grades 6–9

Long Live Wakanda

Shuri, Okoye, and Riri must band together to help Wakanda. Code your own action-packed activity inspired by Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

Scratch — Beat-Box

Beat-Box is a project that celebrates music and the creation of your own sound device. Your task is to make wonderful sounds with your creation. Students will start with the traditional Scratch blocks and then incorporate artificial intelligence using the Text-to-Speech extension in Scratch.

Grades 9–12

Code Combat: Dungeons of Kithgard

My daughters love to play! This has just the right combination of student creativity, expression, and coding.
-Angelina D., Curriculum Content Developer, Code.org

Competitive coding has never been so epic! Learn the skills you need to play like the pros in our Esports Bootcamp. No coding experience needed. Start by training in the dungeon and discovering the coding strategies and tactics you’ll need to compete. After honing your skills, put your code to the test in our esports arena against other players worldwide! Are you our next AI League grand champion?

Need another reason to get excited for Hour of Code? If you’re in the United States, you can register your Hour of Code event and opt-in enter a DonorsChoose sweepstakes to support your classroom. Let’s get ready for the best Hour of Code ever!

Code.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to every student having the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their core K-12 education. We are publicly funded by people like you. If you would like to join our commitment to computer science education by making a donation today, please click here. For questions, please contact giving@code.org or (206) 593–5521. Thank you.

This week, the Teich Group and Catapult X announced the winners of the Educators Pick Best of STEM® 2024 Awards, the only awards program judged by STEM educators — and Code.org is the proud winner of TWO categories!

• Trailblazer: Inspiring Computational Thinking: Code.org’s (in partnership with Amazon Future Engineer) Music Lab
• Best use of AI for Teaching and Learning: Code.org’s (in partnership with The Piech Lab at Stanford University) AI teaching Assistant

The awards program, operated in partnership with the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), MCH Strategic Data, National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT), and KEH Communications — spotlights innovative products, technologies, and services that are changing the world of STEM education.

These STEM products were subject to a two-part evaluation process. First, products were evaluated by an expert panel of judges. Once judges selected the finalists, more than 267,000 STEM educators were given the opportunity to evaluate the finalists via survey.

Our entire organization, especially the dedicated staff behind these products, is honored to receive these awards. This is Code.org’s second year having our products recognized as the Best of STEM. Code.org is focus on increasing the access to computer science for all students and we’re thrilled that we can continue to make our products useful and valuable to schools districts globally.

— The Code.org team

Code.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to every student having the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their core K-12 education. We are publicly funded by people like you. If you would like to join our commitment to computer science education by making a donation today, please click here. For more information on how Code.org can support your district, please click here.

Attention teachers! As Code.org prepares for another fantastic school year, we’re thrilled to share some exciting new and updated curriculum, with a strong focus on the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) and the joy of creating with code. We’ve been working hard on innovative content designed to engage your students and support your teaching. Here’s a look at what’s new and how these updates can transform your classroom.

New for K-5 classrooms: Igniting young minds with creativity and code

Game Design (Grade: 3+, Instructional Hours: 5, Self-Paced PL Available)

This new module is perfect for introducing young learners to game development! Using Sprite Lab, students will learn about behaviors, variables, events, and conditional statements. They’ll also engage in user testing, data collection, and analysis. The module wraps up with a Game Jam where students can show off their creations. If you’re passionate about bringing creativity and problem-solving to your classroom, this module is for you!

Maker with micro:bit Modules (Grade: 2+, Instructional Hours: 3+, Self-Paced PL Available)

Our new Maker with micro:bit modules combine foundational coding skills with hands-on physical computing projects, starting on the Code.org platform and transitioning to the micro:bit platform. Students will experience the joy of seeing their code control lights, sensors, and more. This one’s perfect for teachers looking to bring more interactive projects into their classrooms.

Music Lab Tutorial (Grade: 2+, Instructional Hours: 1)

In May, we launched Music Lab, an innovative programming environment where students learn coding basics while creating music! In this block-based environment, learners will discover the power of programming to create unique sounds, compose songs, and perform live music. This tutorial helps younger students navigate this new environment, blending the joy of music with foundational coding skills.

How AI Makes Decisions (Grade: 3+, Instructional Hours: 4, Self-Paced PL Available)

Dive into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence with our AI module, which focuses on how AI systems analyze data and make decisions. Students explore key AI concepts, use Code.org’s AI tools in fun and educational ways, begin to understand the critical role of data, and gain insight into how AI works behind the scenes. It’s a great entry point for elementary students into the world of AI.

New for 6–12 classrooms: AI-powered learning and foundational skills

Coding with AI (Grades: 6–12, Instructional Hours: 1 Week, Self-Paced PL Available)

This unit empowers students to become confident coders. Students learn how to leverage generative AI tools to help explain code, tackle problems, and even generate code. More than just coding, this unit emphasizes ethical considerations and responsible use of AI, preparing students for the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Computer Vision (Grades: 9–12, Instructional Hours: 3 Weeks, Self-Paced PL Available)

This unit introduces students to the fundamentals, applications, and ethical implications of computer vision technologies. Students learn about the technical aspects of computer vision as well as its impact on society, preparing them to be thoughtful innovators in a rapidly advancing technological landscape.

Computer Science Connections: Generative AI for Humanities (Grades 8–12, Instructional Hours: 2 Stand-Alone Lessons)

These cross-curricular standalone lessons empower students to use AI for brainstorming, drafting, and revising essays, as well as conducting and verifying research. Through hands-on activities and discussions, students will develop critical thinking and digital literacy skills.

Foundations of CS Beta (Grades: 9–12, Instructional Hours: One Semester)

Are you in a state with a CS graduation requirement — but only for a single semester class? We’ve got you covered now: Designed purposefully to fulfill those requirements and align with state and CSTA standards, the Foundations of Computer Science (FCS) curriculum is a semester-long intro to CS. It’s still in beta for now — so you’ll be in on the ground floor! The beta version integrates content from CS Discoveries and CS Principles; the final version will include new content, so stay tuned.

Self-Paced Professional Learning for Educators

We’re also excited to offer self-paced professional learning to accompany almost all of the new curriculum releases, ensuring that educators have the support and resources they need to confidently teach these innovative courses. You’ll find all of our self-paced offerings on our website.

And in case you missed it, check out AI 101 Self-Paced Professional Learning, Code.org’s new foundational online learning series for any teacher or educator interested in the groundbreaking world of AI and its transformative potential in education.

Course Updates

Computer Science Fundamentals (CSF)

Good news for teachers of Courses A and B — we’ve added slides for each lesson in the course! Slides are now available for all CSF courses. We’ve also made some updates to improve alignment to CSTA standards across courses. You’ll find our new Music Lab lesson added to courses D and E, and our new game design lessons added to Course E. We’ve also added some fun new blocks to Sprite Lab! For more information about all of the improvements to CSF, check out our Changelog.

Computer Science Discoveries (CSD)

We’ve made significant improvements to CSD Unit 2 (Web Development) this year, adding three new lessons that teach students modern web development practices and techniques, and improving the Chapter One mini-projects and end-of-chapter project. We’ve also rearranged the lesson sequence to better support skill acquisition. Throughout CSD, we’ve added new post-assessment self-reflections to help you understand why and how students completed assessment levels as they did. For more information about all of the improvements to CSD, check out our Changelog!

Every year, our goal is to provide a modern curriculum that prepares students for the future. These annual updates reflect that commitment to integrating the latest technologies and methodologies into education. We’re so excited to offer new and updated curriculum to you and your students — as always, at no cost. We can’t wait to see how you’ll engage your students with these new tools and resources!

— The Code.org Team

Code.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to every student having the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their core K-12 education. We are publicly funded by people like you. If you would like to join our commitment to computer science education by making a donation today, please click here. For questions, please contact Development at giving@code.org or (206) 593–5521. Thank you.

Last year, we launched our Incubator page for in-progress projects — including an activity in which students could use code to mix beats, bass, and other sounds to create their own music.

After more development, feedback, and an exciting partnership with Amazon Future Engineer, we’re so proud to finally introduce the world to Music Lab! This innovative and engaging new program blends computer science and coding with music creation and production to create a fun, creative learning experience for students — particularly at middle- and high-school levels.

“With Music Lab, we are bridging the gap between computer science and students’ creative interests. Music Lab builds upon Code.org’s founding mission of making computer science exciting, engaging, and accessible for all students.” — Hadi Partovi, cofounder and CEO, Code.org

But we’re burying the lead a bit: The all-new Music Lab doesn’t just allow you to compose original music with code… Users can remix songs from artists like the Chainsmokers, Aloe Blacc, Tinashe, Dove Cameron, Carly Rae Jepsen, Rosa Linn, and more. Ever thought “Call Me Maybe” needed MORE strings, or maybe that “I Need a Dollar” would sound even cooler with some synths? Make it happen — and learn about functions, loops, and other programming skills at the same time.

“Coding is used across the music industry,” says award-winning singer-songwriter, Aloe Blacc. “Computer science has created endless new possibilities in music, making it easier to record, perform, and even create brand new sounds.”

“Technology allowed me to record demos in my bedroom. I was a student who had access to technology and it gave me more opportunities to do what I love doing,” says 2022 Eurovision Song Contest finalist, Rosa Linn.

Showing students how computer science can give them greater opportunities to do what they love is a key goal of Music Lab. Innovative solutions to bolster student engagement are more essential now than ever before. With growing concerns from families and educators around students’ declining classroom engagement, districts across the country are struggling to find ways to create an environment that captures students’ interests and attention.

“As we navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic, including learning loss and declining enrollment, we must creatively address student engagement by tapping into students’ existing passions, like music,” said Alberto Carvalho, superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District. “Code.org has mastered the art of bringing joy and curiosity into the classroom, while preparing students with essential computer science skills, and Music Lab is the perfect example.”

Check out Music Lab today and follow the excitement on social media over the next few weeks — via TikTok, Instagram, X, and more. We’ll be sharing exclusive artist content and glimpses into how classrooms are engaging with this absorbing new activity. We can’t wait to hear what everyone creates and remixes!

— The Code.org Team

Code.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to every student having the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their core K-12 education. We are publicly funded by people like you. If you would like to join our commitment to computer science education by making a donation today, please click here. For questions, please contact Development at giving@code.org or (206) 593–5521. Thank you.

Most people have heard of the butterfly effect, in which one flap of a butterfly’s wings could have much larger consequences elsewhere in the world. But could there be another, lesser-known phenomenon at play in the coding world: the Flappy effect?

Igor Barakaiev was 13 years old when Flappy Bird sparked an interest in app development. Now an undergraduate at Stanford University studying computer science, he’s launched Imaginara, a platform that creates customized children’s storybooks online.

We asked Igor how he got started and what he’s up to next — and learned it never hurts to be bold!

How did you get started coding?

IB: I can’t quite remember the exact timeline, but I remember being very interested in how mobile games are made and experimenting with trying to make a game myself. (I think I was particularly curious about Geometry Dash then, which I was playing myself.) This is when I thought it would be a good idea to reach out to Dong Nguyen, the creator of Flappy Bird, and ask him how to proceed, which is when he pointed me to Code.org. That was probably one of my earliest exposures to coding, though through visual blocks.

What about Flappy Bird appealed to you?

IB: Flappy Bird seemed like an amazing idea — it had extremely simple controls and yet it was so engaging. I was also optimistic enough to think that I would be able to learn how to make similar games in no time. (Spoiler: [It] took me much longer than I had thought.)

What lessons do you remember from the Code.org Flappy Bird activity?

IB: Building a clone of Flappy Bird on Code.org included programming logic like “What happens when you click?”, “What happens when you collide with an object?”, and “What happens when you fall to the ground?”. There was still a lot of “magic” behind the scenes, such as how are the graphics actually rendered and where are the assets coming from, but that wasn’t the point — the point was to learn how to think in terms of what a typical high-level programming language would look like. “While the game is running, whenever a user presses on the screen, the bird flies up and the sound is produced”; which is quite similar to what a real programming language looks like.

What were your next steps in coding and what brought you to the U.S.?

IB: Some time after trying out Code.org, I bought a book called C++ for Dummies where I got my first exposure to a “proper” programming language, although I didn’t really finish it and used it primarily for bragging rights among my classmates, because the code looked really sophisticated and difficult. I then joined a free programming school Sh++ (“Sh” stands for “Ш”, the first letter of the word “School” in Ukrainian), where I actually learned the basics of C++ and met really good friends with whom I then worked on multiple projects together. We worked on many random things such as building robots and controlling them via Bluetooth. One of the projects was a mobile game named Icy Bounce, inspired by Crossy Road, which we published on the App Store in 2017 and which we were lucky to see featured on the main page for about a week or so. This led to the game having over a quarter million downloads then.

At the same time, I had gotten into Ukraine Global Scholars, a non-profit helping Ukrainian high school students apply to schools abroad, and so I was applying to boarding high schools in the United States. In fact, my friend and I released Icy Bounce a bit after I first arrived in the United States.

Where did the idea for Imaginara come from?

IB: I had seen a post about making a custom children storybook on Twitter and thought it would be fun to automate this process. I mentioned the idea to David Eagleman, my Stanford professor, who thought he’d be interested to advise me on how to get this project off the ground. Several months later, I had a minimum viable version of the platform ready, which I announced on my Twitter profile.

How has the launch gone and what’s next for you?

IB: We have over a hundred sales so far. I am pretty happy with this result, but I think there’s certainly more potential, so I’m currently taking a step back to rethink the website and incorporate the feedback I received. I’m also working on a different product with David Eagleman along the way, which we will hopefully unveil soon.

Igor is currently an undergraduate student at Stanford University, majoring in Symbolic Systems with a concentration in neuroscience, as well as minoring in Mathematics. Igor, we can’t wait to see what’s next for you!

—Meghan Gannon, Code.org Marketing Manager

Code.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to every student having the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their core K-12 education. We are publicly funded by people like you. If you would like to join our commitment to computer science education by making a donation today, please click here. For questions, please contact Development at giving@code.org or (206) 593–5521. Thank you.

Starting today, middle and high school teachers from all backgrounds and experience levels can apply to our 2024 Professional Learning Program that prepares and supports U.S. educators to teach computer science. Scholarships are available for eligible educators to attend free of charge!

Studies show that students who learn computer science perform better in other subjects, excel at problem solving, and are more likely to attend college. Teaching computer science is a way to empower students to become the superheroes of tomorrow!

The program for middle and high school teachers is hosted by Code.org Regional Partners across the country, and is designed to prepare teachers before and during their first year teaching CS Discoveries, CS Principles, and CSA. Teachers will also learn pedagogy and equitable teaching practices they can utilize in other classrooms too!

Teachers can look forward to a week-long training in the summer to bring CS into their classrooms in the 2024–2025 school year, as well as additional support throughout the academic year.

What can you expect from the Code.org Professional Learning Program?

Proven results:

• Code.org’s free, award-winning curriculum is used in over a third of schools nationwide. These span from large districts in Los Angeles and Dallas to suburban districts and small rural districts.
• More than 100,000 teachers have participated in our Professional Learning program — and more than 90% of them would recommend it to another teacher!
• A school’s participation in the Code.org program causes an estimated five-fold increase in the number of students that take and earn qualifying scores on the AP Computer Science Principles exam. And students who take AP exams are more likely to enroll in and graduate from college.

Active support:

• With a focus on a customized experience, participants work in small groups to deepen their understanding of the materials.
• Participants and facilitators can share expertise and collaborate on strategies to bring to their classrooms, allowing participants to learn from everyone in the room.
• Multiple check-ins during your first year teaching the course and year-round access to the Code.org forum, an online professional learning community that offers continued support with tools and content.

Make professional learning work for you

If in-person workshops don’t suit your schedule or needs, Code.org is pleased to offer self-paced modules for teachers. These modules are completely free for any educator with a Code.org account worldwide!

• Flexibility and convenience: Engage with the material at your own pace and on your own time.
• Personalized learning experience: Focus on the areas most important to your needs and teaching context.
• Access to high-quality content: Get the latest best practices, research, and strategies for teaching computer science effectively.

Through reading, viewing videos, completing interactive puzzles, and reflecting on your learning, you will develop your own understanding while preparing to teach computer science in your classroom. View our self-paced professional learning options here.

Help more students get access to computer science!

If you’re already teaching computer science in your classroom — or if you’re a Code.org alum yourself — please help us spread the word! We have a number of resources tailored toward administrators or your fellow teachers.

We have so much respect for educators' vital work in preparing students for the future. Thank you! If you have any questions or need additional support, please contact your Regional Partner today.

— The Code.org Team

Please note: These workshops are for educators in the U.S. planning to teach CS Discoveries, CS Principles, and CSA. Elementary school teachers interested in teaching our CS Fundamentals course can find a workshop in their area and register here (no application necessary). For teachers outside the U.S., please review this article, which outlines the support available to you.