Programming is the Language of Success

PROGRAMMING IS THE LANGUAGE OF SUCCESS Programming is a critical asset to our global future – but is it being treated that way? Teaching our children the language of code may be the most important curricula for a more successful tomorrow. Here's why... AN ESSENTIAL SKILL Tech sector unemployment was just 2.7% in Q1 2014, while the national rate was 6.7% 2.7% 6.7% BY 2020: 1 in 2 STEM jobs will be in computing Software developer jobs will grow 30% More than 2x the average for all other jobs! The U.S. will have 1.4 million computer science jobs...but only 400,000 CS grads FLUENCY DEPENDS ON EARLY LEARNING PLAY IS A POWERFUL TEACHER The best age to learn languages is 2 - 6. Language acquisition happens most rapidly. Roughly 75% of knowledge is retained through experiential learning Playing digital games just 20 minutes a day for 5 days Children not exposed to a language by age 7 may never learn it! can boost test scores 15%! Similarly, learning a programming language is also easiest when introduced early Programming is no exception: SPRK engages young minds with code that comes to life instantly through Sphero – a completely programmable robotic ball There may be less fear in trying new things at a younger age {;} </> And in elementary school, stereotypes that coding is only for boys, "nerds," or "geniuses" aren't yet prevalent TODAY'S YOUNG MINDS ARE READY TO BE CHALLENGED At the core, learning code involves only elementary-level math 86.7% of surveyed high school CS teachers (2013) believed students in their schools would like to take CS courses... but don't WHY? ADDITION SUBTRACTION 74.6% 51.3% Electives are less important No room in schedule Yet 19% more students took the AP Computer Science exam in 2013 MULTIPLICATION DIVISION than the year before SPHERO & SPRK: A NEW WAY TO PLAY AND LEARN We believe play can be a powerful teacher. Powered by Sphero, SPRK lessons sharpen math & science skills through programming Download the free SPRK lessons today! > sphe.ro/sprk Programming isn't easy, but you don't need to be a rocket scientist to give kids a strong foundation. All you need is a Sphero. OSPRK schools 4 parents 4 robots 4 kids SOURCES: http://www.cio.com/article/2375667/careers-staffing/a-new-approach-in-luring-top-tech-talent-a-streamline d-hiring-process.htmlBLS, via http://f9c2f2a9517a073e3a66-4905f4819032f494f944d6d0a32dcd10.r60.cf1.rackcdn.com/CinC_2012_N ew_Data_PP_FINAL.pdf http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/12/11/computer-science-everyone http://www.wired.com/2013/09/ap_code/ http://ecap.crc.illinois.edu/pubs/katzsym/clark-b.html http://ase.tufts.edu/devtech/publications/Bers-Horn_May1809.pdf http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/09/should-kids-learn-to-code-in-grade-school/ http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/05/12/teaching-code-in-the-classroom/teach-coding-as-early- as-possible http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKlu9yen5nc http://csta.acm.org/Research/sub/Projects/ResearchFiles/CSTASurvey13Results.pdf http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/research/2013/Program-Summary-Report-2013.pdf http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/myths.htm http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/23/tech/innovation/ipad-solid-education-tool/