Coding is one of the most indispensable skills in the 21st century, touching almost every industry, from healthcare to entertainment and finance. With technology evolving rapidly, your students must start gaining coding and digital literacy skills as early as possible.
Though computer science and programming may seem like advanced disciplines best saved for high school or college, there are many reasons every middle school should make coding part of their curriculum.
Foster Digital Citizenship
Learning to code in middle school teaches responsible technology use, internet safety, and digital ethics while building a solid foundation for later success in more advanced classes. With guidance, students gain essential skills in cross-disciplinary STEAM connections like cyber safety, digital footprint, internet research, and maintaining a positive online presence.
Empower Students as Creators
Coding builds student agency by giving them control over their learning and outcomes. With project-based coding courses, students can explore their creativity and bring their ideas to life by designing games, animations, applications, and more. Here are some examples of middle school students flexing their creativity with web application development:
Make Math Fun
For many students, math is perceived as dull and abstract, but coding provides a way to help math come alive and shows students why it’s crucial in their lives. By coding various projects, they develop a deeper understanding of STEM topics and mathematical principles, such as variables, functions, and algorithms, and how they combine to create a visually appealing and engaging website, game, or application. This helps bridge the gap between math and its real-world use, making math interesting, relevant, and accessible to all students. Additionally, check out the video below to see how gamers use math every day without even realizing it!
Develop a Career-Building Skill
Coding is universally recognized as a pivotal career skill. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job openings for software developers will grow 25% between 2022 and 2032. Providing students with an introduction to computer science in middle school gives them a head start In the industry and exposure to new technology and industry tools. In the future, more and more jobs will be digital, and coding skills are already in high demand across all industries. Providing opportunities for career exploration early on is essential.
Nurture Critical Thinkers and Creative Problem Solvers
Through coding projects, middle school students are exposed to complex challenges that require them to think analytically, break down problems into manageable steps, and develop innovative solutions. Multiple studies have shown that learning to code improves students' algorithmic thinking and problem-solving skills, not to mention the plethora of STEAM connections and cross-disciplinary topics your students will be exposed to through coding.
Improve Communication and Collaboration Skills
Coding is not a solitary endeavor. Students need to work collaboratively with their peers to code a project, website, or game. This helps them learn how to articulate their ideas, explain complex concepts, and accept helpful feedback from their teammates. They develop the ability to work effectively in teams, leveraging each other's strengths and collaborating toward a common goal. Coding promotes community building as students support one another in overcoming challenges.
Build Self-Confidence
As they tackle coding challenges and witness their ideas come to life, students experience a sense of accomplishment and pride. Coding empowers students to overcome obstacles, take risks, and push their boundaries. It fosters a growth mindset, where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities. With the right project-based coding curriculum, your students will have a portfolio of projects to show off to their peers, family members, and eventually, college admission officers and potential employers.
Encourage Diversity and Inclusion
By providing equal access to coding opportunities, we bridge the gap and encourage students from all backgrounds to participate in STEM fields. Coding classrooms become spaces where diversity is celebrated and different perspectives are valued. Through project-based coding, students learn to appreciate the power of diversity and the importance of inclusivity. Watch the video below to see how the Urban Coders Guild uses Mastery Coding’s web development curriculum to provide STEAM education access & opportunity to youth from historically underrepresented communities in Oklahoma.
Teach Perseverance
Coding requires methodical debugging when things don't work as planned. Students learn not to give up when facing errors and bugs but to instead break down problems into logical steps. Wrestling with coding challenges builds grit and perseverance that students carry into other academic and life pursuits.
Incorporating coding into your middle school curriculum is essential for providing students with valuable skills, knowledge, and career and college opportunities. Finding the right partner for affordable STEM courses and project-based coding curriculum is critical. At Mastery Coding, our coding courses integrate STEAM connections and cross-disciplinary content so students become well-versed in STEM while learning in a fun and engaging environment. Prepare your students for the future and unlock their potential in programming and emerging technologies with Mastery Coding's Middle School STEM courses.
