Welcome back to {Kids: Code} Weekly! With our sixth issue we’re gonna keep moving right on through May and giving you tips and resources for your computer programming journey. In this issue we’re gonna do some review on how iterations work as well as go over some internet safety tips, and even... review a video game? First time for everything!
The best way that {Kids: Code} Weekly can improve is with the help of readers like you. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, we’d be more than happy to hear from you!
Last week, we went over how functions work, so this week we'll follow it up with another helpful programming concept: iterations.
An iteration is when a function is repeated over and over until it meets its goal. What is that goal? Whatever you tell it! It could be something as simple as repeating 3 times, or something more complex - like repeating until a condition returns true. You may see this called a loop as well - they’re the same thing!
Below is an example of an iteration written in Python 3. This loop is told to stop after it prints five times.
step = 0
while True:
print("Condition not met!")
step += 1
if step == 5:
print("Stopping!")
break
Iterations are a very useful tool for when you’re working with a large amount of data or need a function to repeat many times. Below is a great video to break down some ways you can use iterations in your next coding project!
Communities around the world are looking for ways to show their appreciation to the important members of our society like doctors, grocery store clerks, police officers, and so many more. One group of kids at Promesa Academy Charter School in San Antonio, Texas, with the help of a nonprofit called Youth Code Jam, worked together on a project to do just that - a website that shows off the art, videos, and Scratch programs that all say “Thank you!”
You can check out their projects on their website here. Just think of all the different ways you can try saying “Thank you!” to someone with coding!
This week in Books, Tools, & More we’d like to start by recommending something a bit different - a video game! while True: learn() is a fun and sometimes tricky puzzle game that teaches you about machine learning, artificial intelligence, and neural networks. On your journey you’ll collect upgrades, take on side missions, and even help out with startup companies all while learning about machines and the history of computer science.
while True: learn() is available on the App Store, but you can also get it for Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Steam. (All ages)
For the Parents & Teachers
With the transition to online schooling the dangers of internet scams are still out there and should be known. Phishing is one of the most widespread scams still occurring online where an email is sent to you, gets you to click on a link, and takes your information. EdTech Magazine put together a helpful guide here on how to vet whether an email may or may not be a scam.
This Issue's Vocabulary Word
Loop
Repeating a block of code over and over until a condition has been met.