On the 22nd May 2021, the 6 weeks intensive python program for kids came to an end. The
class, both in-person and online gave the kids the chance to learn a new digital skill in Python.
The training brought together 20 children between the ages of 7 to 14 years.
For the first 3 weeks of training, the students received training on basic computer skills, how
computers worked, and what programming was. In the last 3 week of training, the students
received introductory lessons on Python Language. The purpose of this training was to equip
young children with basic programming skills using Python.
In the simplest form, Python was explained as an object-orientated programming language(oop)
that can be used for general purposes such as building games, mobile apps, web development etc. They also treated the different data types that exist in a Python programming language such as strings, floats, booleans and integers. Strings were described as arrays of bytes representing Unicode characters. Floats, an example of data types, are used to represent real numbers and are written with a decimal point dividing the integer and fractional parts. Booleans also used to represent the true value of an expression and integers as well.
Students were also made to understand that algorithms were a set of instructions designed to
perform a specific task that is used to create functions and how algorithms factored into programming. Their trainer, Setor also taught the students how to create and change variables, standard input in Python, concatenation, which means obtaining a new string that contains both
of the original strings in variables, loops, conditional statements, how to define and call upon functions and how to create a text-based python game.
Through weekly assignments, participants also learned how to create a text-based python game called space troopers and a hangman game. Afterwards, the students were engaged in a Kahoot game to assess their accumulated knowledge over the past weeks.
The trainer then assured the students that even though the 6 weeks were over, he would continue to send assignments and notes to aid the students to get better with coding in python for the next few weeks. He also advised the students to never let the fear of not knowing how to do something stop them from achieving their goals.
Right after this, each student was awarded a certificate of completion. The celebration climaxed
in a group photo to capture everyone’s achievements. At the end of class, there were some sad
goodbyes as the students parted ways. We are grateful for their eagerness to learn and constant enthusiasm to explore new things.
