For Immediate Release: November 26, 2018
CONTACT: Linda Wiltfong, Professional Volunteer
Unity Foundation of La Porte County (219) 879-0327
All La Porte County public schools will partner to celebrate a Week of Code December 3rd – 7th. The Hour of Code started as a worldwide effort designed to introduce students to computer science and demystify “computer coding.” For the past three years, talented teachers in each school corporation, have participated in some type of coding experience. This year, for the first time, all La Porte County public school corporations are coordinating efforts and resources for cool coding experiences during the week.
The La Porte County Public Library is making it easier for school corporations by training educators in skills identified in the Indiana Academic Standards. Retired educators and engineers have also been trained to provide some of the in-school experiences. The skills associated with coding help students develop academic skills, and build qualities like perseverance, organization, problem solving, and communication. The goal is to help students gain valuable 21st century skills and to create a talent pipeline of employees for the county and region.
People, whether associated with a public school or not, can participate in Week of Code at the La Porte County Public Library. Free coding programs to give students an idea of how coding works will be offered by the Library at most of their branches during the week. Visit http://laporte.libnet.info/events/ for details.
The La Porte County Skill UP Network, a county-wide effort, emerged when Mayor Ron Meer of Michigan City, La Porte Mayor Mark Krentz, with leadership from the Center of Workforce Innovations along with the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board, came together to apply for a Skill UP 3 grant from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. The Skill UP Network brings together economic developers, many employers, K-12 education, Purdue Northwest and Ivy Tech, the Unity Foundation, and the La Porte County Public Library to create a talent pipeline, with an initial focus on manufacturers in La Porte County. For more information on Week of Code contact your child’s school or the Unity Foundation at 219-879-0327.