Over the last few years, coding has taken over the education systems. With jobs involving computer science becoming more demanding, so does the need for the teaching to start in middle and high schools. Schools in the Francis Howell School District are finding a way to bring coding into our learning with Spheros by making it a district initiative.

For the month of February, FHSD had schools participate in “We Love to Code Month” as a way to get students more involved in coding. The Learning Commons at FHN hosted an obstacle course with Spheros. Spheros are small robots controlled through an iPad provided by the Learning Commons.

“Kids were really excited to take part in this, some had never seen things like this and others were disappointed they didn’t get the chance to come down and participate,” Media Specialist Tara Willen said.

During English classes, students met with their counselors for individual advisement for their class placement for next year. When students were finished they had the opportunity to grab a chromebook and learn ways to code on websites. When they completed those, they could go to the library where the Spheros were.

“Coding and things related are very valuable to our students,” English teacher Jani Wilkens said. “But I think it’d be cool if we made the experience into something that seemed more significant to the students rather than in place of having time to complete work when they wait to meet with their counselors.”

Coding is leaving its impact in schools with STEAM programs and activities everyday when more students engage. More and more people are seeing the value in teaching coding to younger kids. With FHSD expanding its coding celebration to a whole month, students are experiencing skills that can transfer to real life progress and potential job opportunities by being exposed to new things.

“It’s an increasingly large profession and schools teaching it to students opens many doors for students in their path for success,” junior Andrew Reese said.