Round Rock ISD students from across the district spent an hour this week learning computer science by playing games, working with community partners and working collaboratively as part of Hour of Code and Computer Science Education Week.

Students at elementary, middle and high schools embraced computer science by completing Star Wars, Minecraft and Frozen themed games. Community partners from Adecco, Atlas Learning, IBM, Microsoft, HP and Kahoot! also joined the Hour of Code to provided real-world examples of how computer science applies to careers

The Hour of Code got students excited about programming and Round Rock ISD is striving to continue students’ interest and education through the continuing Code.org curriculum, offered free of charge. The curriculum consists of a four-course curriculum with aligned math and science courses for middle school and high school students.

“Round Rock ISD is committed to introducing computer science and computational thinking at the earliest possible grade,” Heflin said. “Computer science doesn’t replace math, science, or language arts; it’s just teaching those subjects through another lens. We have kids that use technology, but we want to teach kids how to create technology.”

More examples of Hour of Code in Round Rock ISD:

  • IBM Software Engineer Nathan Henkman visited Old Town Elementary School Dec. 7 to show kindergarten classes how he codes to make applications for the iPhone. Students marveled as he showed examples of coding, his app and explained how to program a mini drone, Old Town Instructional Technology Specialist Leslie Long said.
  • Cedar Valley Middle School invited students to use their creativity with computer science and design 3D models in Google Classroom, which Instructional Technology Specialist Mary Yonker will print.
  • Spicewood Elementary School lego robotics team used computer science knowledge to build robots for a friendly competition.
  • Westwood High School computer science students visited Purple Sage Elementary School to code with students.