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Elementary Students Explore Programming During "Hour of Code"
Elementary Tech Specialist Jen Goldberg poses for a picture with three students in a class during Hour of Code week. All four are smiling and giving double thumbs up.

Students in grades K–4 across Lower Merion School District recently participated in Hour of Code, a global initiative designed to introduce students to computer science through engaging, age-appropriate activities held annually during Computer Science Education Week.

Led by Jen Goldberg, LMSD’s Elementary Technology Specialist, the Hour of Code provided students hands-on opportunities to explore the basics of coding while developing critical skills such as problem-solving, logical thinking and perseverance. The activities were designed to be accessible to all learners, reinforcing the idea that computer science is for everyone—regardless of prior experience.

As part of the lessons, students learned about Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist whose work laid the groundwork for modern programming languages. Hour of Code takes place during Computer Science Education Week in recognition of Hopper's birthday, helping students connect coding to its historical foundations and the innovators who shaped the field.

Throughout the week, students worked through interactive coding challenges that encouraged creativity and experimentation. One popular activity featured Angry Birds, where students guided characters through puzzles by writing simple code. Through this activity, students learned foundational concepts such as loops, which repeat a set of instructions, and conditionals, which tell a program what to do when certain conditions are met.

By using loops and conditionals, students discovered how coding can make programs more efficient and responsive. These concepts helped students understand how computers “think” and how complex tasks can be broken down into manageable steps. The activity also reinforced the value of testing, revising and learning from mistakes.

In addition to screen-based activities on iPads and Chromebooks, students explored coding through a variety of hands-on tools and platforms, including Code-a-pillar, Code Karts, Coding Safari, Bee-Bots and Box Island. Students engaged with these tools to practice sequencing, directional thinking and problem-solving in developmentally appropriate ways.

Hour of Code also highlighted the importance of collaboration. Students shared ideas, supported one another and celebrated successes together, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. The excitement and engagement seen throughout the week reflected students’ growing confidence with technology and computational thinking.

By participating in Hour of Code, LMSD students gained early exposure to computer science concepts that connect to real-world applications and future career pathways. The experience helped build a foundation for digital literacy while sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for learning in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Stay connected throughout the year by following Elementary Technology Specialist Jen Goldberg on Instagram (@ElemTechLMSD) for photos of students actively engaging with technology in our classrooms. See a slideshow of images from LMSD’s Hour of Code activities below!

Photo Credit: Jen Goldberg & various K-4 classroom teachers

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Two young girls, one with long brown hair and the other with a headband, are sitting at a desk and using a tablet computer in what appears to be a classroom or learning environment with shelves and other educational materials visible in the background.
Two young children, a boy and a girl, are sitting on a colorful, patterned rug in what appears to be a classroom or playroom setting. The girl is holding a stuffed animal, and the boy is looking at a tablet device in front of them.
Two young students, a girl and a boy, are interacting with a large interactive display board in what appears to be a classroom setting. The background includes colorful educational posters and other classroom materials.
Two young girls, one wearing a blue hat and the other with curly hair, are sitting on a colorful, patterned rug surrounded by various toys and games.
A group of young children are seated on the floor in a colorful and organized classroom environment, surrounded by shelves filled with books, toys, and other educational materials.
A young girl in a wheelchair is smiling at the camera, with another girl in the background also smiling. The classroom setting with various educational materials and equipment is visible in the background.
Two young girls, one wearing a green sweater and the other a yellow top, are sitting in a room filled with colorful books, toys, and other items, suggesting an educational or playful environment.
A young girl with curly hair is wearing large headphones and holding a tablet, surrounded by various toys and games in a cluttered room.
A young boy in a black shirt and gray hat is intently focused on a tablet computer on a desk in a classroom setting with other students visible in the background.
A young female teacher is assisting a young female student with a laptop in a classroom setting, with other students visible in the background.
A group of young children sitting on colorful mats in a classroom, with a large projection screen displaying a fiery image in the background.
The image shows a group of children and an adult woman standing in front of a colorful display promoting %22The Hour of Code Week Blasts%22 event.
A young boy is sitting at a desk in a classroom, using a tablet computer while other students are also engaged in various activities in the background.
A smiling young person wearing a colorful tie-dye hoodie is seated at a desk in a classroom setting, surrounded by other students using laptops and computers.
A young boy with a big smile on his face is sitting at a computer, wearing headphones and appearing to be engaged in an activity on the laptop screen.
A young child is sitting at a desk, intently focused on using a laptop computer while surrounded by various toys and school supplies in the background.
A young girl wearing headphones is intently focused on playing a game on a tablet device, surrounded by a colorful and engaging classroom environment.
The image shows a person's hands interacting with a laptop computer displaying an educational website or application.
A young girl with curly blonde hair wearing pink headphones is intently focused on playing a game on a tablet in a classroom setting with other children in the background.
A young boy wearing headphones is intently focused on playing a game on a tablet device, surrounded by a classroom environment with various supplies and materials visible in the background.
A young girl wearing a pink Philadelphia Phillies shirt is intently focused on a tablet device in front of her, surrounded by various toys and items in what appears to be a classroom or playroom setting.
A young boy wearing headphones is intently focused on playing a game on a tablet device, while a woman is visible in the background.
A group of young children, all wearing headphones, are sitting on a colorful, patterned mat and using various electronic devices, appearing to be engaged in an educational or interactive activity.
The classroom appears to be a lively and engaging learning environment, with a teacher standing at the front of the room and students actively engaged with their laptops and other learning materials on the colorful floor mats.
A woman in a purple shirt is assisting a young boy in using a tablet device in what appears to be a classroom setting, with various educational materials and supplies visible in the background.
The image shows two young girls, one in a gray sweater and the other in a pink outfit, sitting in a classroom setting with computers and other educational materials visible in the background.
A young boy with short brown hair is intently focused on a tablet device placed on a desk in a classroom setting, surrounded by other students and classroom materials.
The image shows a person's hands interacting with a laptop computer, which displays an educational website on the screen.
Two young children are playing on the floor with various toys and objects, surrounded by a tiled floor and blue walls in the background.
A group of young children, both boys and girls, are sitting on the floor of a colorful classroom, surrounded by educational toys and materials.
A person wearing glasses and a purple shirt is holding up a book titled %22Ada Lovelace%22 in a library setting with bookshelves in the background.
Three children, two girls and one boy, are sitting on the floor in a classroom setting. They appear to be engaged in a learning activity, with various educational materials and toys scattered around them on the tiled floor.
A young girl wearing pink headphones is intently focused on playing a game on a tablet device, surrounded by various toys and storage containers in a cozy, cluttered room.
A young person wearing headphones is using a laptop computer on a desk with various office supplies in the background.
A young girl with headphones on is sitting at a desk in a classroom, smiling and looking at a laptop computer in front of her. The classroom appears to be filled with various educational materials and supplies.

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