Rogers Elementary School second grade students Rayan Boufares, left, and Gabriel Gallardo work on computer programming as part of elementary computer science courses which are new this school year in the Marshalltown Community School District.
Computer science instruction through the Project Lead the Way Launch program grew for younger students in the Marshalltown Community School District this past school year with even more expansion plans into the future.
“This year, our teacher librarians piloted computer science instruction using PLTW Launch materials for all second and fourth graders,” said David Stanfield, instructional design specialist with the district. “Next year, instruction will expand to include all students in kindergarten through fourth grade. We also have plans to begin a program at Lenihan Intermediate School. It is impressive that all of our elementary students will soon be exposed to the world of computer science in meaningful ways.”
During a recent computer science session at Rogers Elementary School, second graders were programming an animated figure to move and do certain tasks using the program ScratchJr.
“They really like it,” said Rogers teacher librarian Erin Faas.
Faas said students were able to work together on their problem solving and perseverance skills while working with the program.
“They are not afraid to continue trying if something doesn’t work the first time,” Faas said.
Rogers Elementary School second graders Aubrie Davis, left, and Garrett Thede work on computer programming.
