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Google CS First Teaches Kids Programming and Computer Science for Free


There are a wealth of ways for kids to learn computer science and programming these days. Add to the mix: Google's own CS First curriculum, a free program with a variety of themes for all kinds of kids' interests.

CS First isn't new (the program started last year), but as a program that's meant for teachers and community volunteers to form computer science clubs for kids ages 9 to 14, you might not have heard about it.

Lesson themes include Music & Sound (create a music video and build an interactive music display), Fashion & Design (build fashion-themed apps), Storytelling (create interactive stories), Game Design (code a game), and so on.

All of the materials (videos, programming in Scratch, and lesson plans) are freely available online, so parents—whether homeschooling or not—and kids with a lot of initiative can check out the lessons themselves. Or, better yet, start a club in your community.

CS First